Amidst heartbreaking devastation from back-to-back disasters in Indonesia, the American Red Cross has contributed $1 million and seven disaster responders to support relief efforts on the islands of Sulawesi and Lombok.
Learn more and read an account from one American Red Cross responder who recently returned from Lombok.
First, earthquakes rattle Lombok
In July and August, people on the island of Lombok, Indonesia endured a series of five powerful earthquakes, including one of 7.0 magnitude. 75% of all structures were demolished in North Lombok and not a single home remained standing in some villages. Hundreds lost their lives, thousands suffered injuries, and more than 500,000 have been affected by the devastating events.
The Indonesian Red Cross is providing critical shelter materials, health care, clean water, food, and psychosocial support to families as they cope.
Disaster strikes again in Sulawesi
With relief efforts only two months underway on the island of Lombok, a massive earthquake and tsunami ravaged another Indonesian island, Sulawesi. On September 28, Central Sulawesi was struck by a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that triggered a destructive tsunami. Houses were swept off the shoreline. An entire village in Palu was obliterated due to a phenomenon called soil liquefication. Tragically more than 2,000 people lost their lives, while thousands of loved ones remain missing. At least 10,000 suffered injuries in the double-disaster, and more than 67,000 homes are damaged.
In Sulawesi, hundreds of Indonesian Red Cross volunteers have been working tirelessly to conduct search and rescue, provide health support, deliver clean water, and connect loved ones through Restoring Family Links.
Red Cross volunteers will continue working in both Lombok and Sulawesi delivering hope and comfort to affected community members.
About American Red Cross Support
The American Red Cross is supporting relief efforts in the hardest-hit areas. The American Red Cross has thus far contributed $1 million to relief efforts on the islands of Sulawesi and Lombok — in addition to deploying a team of seven disaster responders.
Prior to the earthquake, the American Red Cross worked alongside the Indonesian Red Cross to prepare communities — including through disaster simulations, teaching earthquake preparedness in schools, and providing first aid training.
Read about one American Red Cross responder’s experience supporting relief efforts in Lombok, Indonesia: https://medium.com/@AmericanRedCross/through-my-eyes-one-red-cross-aid-workers-experience-with-indonesia-s-back-to-back-disasters-86b788045bfd
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
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