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How To Help Lombok, Indonesia Earthquake Victims As The Island Recovers
Just a week after a 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit Lombok, Indonesia, another even stronger earthquake rocked the popular island. At least 82 people are dead following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake on Sunday, the Indonesian Red Cross Society confirmed to CNN. And you can find out how to help Lombok, Indonesia earthquake victims as well as the hundreds who have already been taken to local hospitals.
To better understand the destruction caused by the quake, the BBC reported that the earthquake hit about 6.21 miles underground. There was also a tsunami warning for a few hours, according to the international news outlet. Furthermore, Australian Broadcasting Company (ABC) reported aftershocks were as high as 5.4-magnitude. There were at least 100 aftershocks recorded in the day after the initial quake, according to The Guardian.
News of the earthquake has spread across the world. Singaporean Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam posted on Facebook about his experience during the quake, as he was on the island at the time attending a conference. He was in his 10th-floor hotel room in Mataram when the quake started. "Suddenly the room shook violently, walls cracked, it was quite impossible to stand up. Heard screams. Came out, and made my way down a staircase, while building was still shaking," Shanmugam wrote, before adding more description of the destruction. "Power went out for a while. Lots of cracks, fallen doors."
Shanmugam wrote that his delegation attending the conference was safe, but other hotel guests were not as lucky. (He did not elaborate.)
People didn't just feel the earthquake in Lombok. Author and model Chrissy Teigen tweeted about experiencing the earthquake while she vacationed in Bali, which is located west of Lombok.
If you want to help those who have been directly affected, here are a few options to consider.
The Indonesian Red Cross Is Already On Site
The Indonesian Red Cross is already on site at the Lombok earthquake — it was there for last week's quake, too. The organization has assisted with evacuations, and built shelters for people who were evacuated. Donating to the Indonesian Red Cross will help continue this work, including providing medical supplies, distributing blankets, clothing, first aid, and bringing a calming presence after a tragedy.
Look For International Groups With Local Partners
One way to help in an international crisis is to donate directly. If you find an international charity doing work in the area to support — for example, the anti-poverty group Oxfam Australia — make sure the organization is working with local partners to better distribute their donations. Oxfam Australia is sending tarpaulins and sarongs from Jakarata, while their local staff and partner organizations are supporting as needed, according to Dylan Quinnell, a media coordinator for emergencies at the organization.
Some Groups Started Helping With Last Week's Earthquake
Mercy Relief is an organization based in Singapore dedicated to helping during disasters and tragedies in Asian countries. On Sunday, the group tweeted that it was tracking the situation and "ready to assist" if help was needed.
Another unaffiliated organization, Mercy Malaysia, already pledged to send money to Lombok when the first earthquake struck last week. According to local media, the organization pledged 40,000 Malaysian Ringgit, which is almost $10,000. The organization expected to help 1,000 people with that initial pledge. "Our team of four will assist in the distribution with a local partner for one week," Mercy Malaysia executive member Norazam Ab Samah told reporters.
Spread Accurate Information From Official Sources Online
Spreading the word about the earthquakes' destruction on social media is an important way to help both victims and survivors. But this is also a developing situation, where information can quickly change. It's incredibly important to verify where information is coming from — official organizations on the ground are best — before sharing.
The situation in Indonesia may change as damage is surveyed, and the death toll may rise. Take a step back from social media if necessary. But upon returning, work to help support local organizations, and only share information from reputable sources.
Correction: A previous version of this story misstated Mercy Malaysia as Mercy Relief. It has been updated to accurately reflect the separate organizations.
