President Anusha Santhirasthipam of Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific (SISWP) has launched a special appeal to support those affected by the disaster in Sulawesi and Lombok:
SISWP President's Special Appeal: “Soroptimist Makmur Indonesia” Tsunami and Earthquakes Appeal
SISWP and the people of Indonesia desperately asked for your help.All donations helped with funds being used to provide essential temporary shelter, emergency medical supplies, personal care and hygiene items, potable water and sanitation facilities.
"Our hope for those affected is to once again flourish and find peace in their homeland. MAKMUR being the opposite of poverty, meaning prosperous, articulates our plan for this Appeal and its recipients."
What happened?
A 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit Indonesia on September 28, 2018 ravaging the island of Sulewasi, and other parts of Indonesia. The earthquake and following 10ft tsunami destroyed many parts of the region, killing more than 2,200 people with another 5,000 still missing.
Around 68,000 homes had been damaged or destroyed leaving 330,000 people without adequate shelter. With limited access via the airport and roads, many areas are yet to receive assistance.
What are we doing?
SISWP initially funded SI Kemang, who partnered with local medical teams, to provide immediate emergency medical assistance for 500 families. More funding had been given for SI Kemang to dispatch medical supplies, personal care and sanitary items to Sulawesi.
SISWP had funded SI Jakarta to supply family-sized tents and blankets, primarily to women and girls in Sulawesi areas who had not received any aid assistance. They were homeless, vulnerable and in danger from violent crimes as well as serious illness caused by heavy rains and mosquito borne diseases, like Malaria.
SI Jakarta had been working in Lombok to support disaster-affected families with shelter and essential emergency supplies. However, further relief funds are needed to help families across Indonesia that helped to:
• heal and recover with emergency healthcare and safety supplies;
• improved their access to water and sanitation facilities;
• built temporary and transitional shelter and schools;
• rebuilt their livelihoods through early recovery interventions.
How your donation helped.
Your donations went towards helping those affected, especially vulnerable women and children. Which helped to:
• Provide tents and plastic sheets for flooring;
• Delivered clean water equipment and sanitation facilities;
• Built temporary safe schools and supply education materials;
• Built toilets and enclosed bathing facilities for women and girls to take showers and manage their hygiene and feminine care;
• Provided first aid kits, sanitary packs and new mother-baby packs;
• Harvested rainwater;
• Provided food security through farming and animal rearing.