“I don’t know how I can recover from this. Everything is gone, just gone.”
Kiki is one of thousands affected by the 7.5 magnitude earthquake and catastrophic tsunami that devastated the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. This disaster has killed more than 2,000 people and affected a further 1.5 million.
The damage is widespread – thousands of buildings have collapsed, been swept away, or submerged by land or mudslides. Over 82,000 people have been displaced from their homes and are now sleeping in makeshift tents or without any shelter at all. Bridges and roads have been destroyed, cutting off many communities and making it difficult to get assistance to families in need.
Having worked in Indonesia since 1984, World Renew has strong connections with local churches and organizations in some of the communities most severely affected by this disaster. World Renew’s local partner, Yayasan Bumi Tangguh (YBT), has already provided emergency relief items to 472 families. With funding from ZOA and the Dutch Relief Alliance, YBT will also be providing temporary latrines to 950 families to ensure that these families can stay healthy and free from illnesses like cholera and typhoid. World Renew is committed to being your agency of choice to support survivors in the immediate aftermath of this disaster, and to walk with families as they recover and rebuild.
The following photos show Indonesian families receiving emergency assistance such as dividing up rice for families, distributing cans of food, sleeping mats and tarps through World Renew’s local partner.
For many, like Kiki, life will never be the same. As some mourn the loss of loved ones, others are facing incredibly difficult circumstances as they get back on their feet. It will take months, maybe even years, for some families to recover. It is our prayer that through the work of our partner, made possible through your generous support, families are able to recover quickly and are better prepared should another disaster like this happen in the future.
Please pray for the people of Sulawesi, and for staff and partners on the ground who are helping families in need, and give generously to World Renew’s Indonesia Earthquakes response.