I've raised £5000 to rebuild North West Lombok infrastructure after the earthquakes
Organised by Dr. Martine Hooper
Story
HUMANITARIAN HELP: 85% of villages in North West Lombok have been destroyed by a series of 6.2-7.0 earthquakes in a week. 150,000+ local people remain displaced
Exposed to the elements: locals are sleeping outside under makeshift tarpaulin tents, in the tropical heat, with no electricity, running water or aircon, and whilst aftershocks continue to rock cracked buildings they once called home. A desperate situation.
I was based on the islands for a 3 month Asia business trip last summer. Sun Aug 5th 2018, friends were messaging me for help: food, water, evacuation, shelter and medical supplies in the aftermath. Totally heart breaking to see them have their safety, homes, jobs & livelihoods affected all at once.
International team spirit: our family & friend based on both islands Sian & Victor have set-up immediate relief efforts for the local Lombok workers, whose communities have been most affected. Establishing efficient teams & logistics to deliver food, water, pumps, medicines & shelter across the island. Challenged by road blockages and further tremors; but supported by their knowledge of local territory & language skills.
Videos posted by the relief teams show the withdrawals of donations sent from across the globe & spent at markets at sunrise - with supplies arriving in villages by the afternoon!
Next phase of recovery: Sian & Victor need more donations the coming weeks and months towards rebuilding these local communities. Enabling local workers who support the unaffected South Lombok island and less affected Gili tourism industry to return to work.They have now got on board international expert assistance. With this in mind, it's time to start pooling resources together.
Pound-stretch: here in the UK/EU we have the bonus that a little goes a long way out there: £70/EUR70 fills an entire truck of food and water for a village for a few days during the rebuild. Knowing that your money will stretch a lot further, may help you spare even the smallest donations in a tight economy.
