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JAKARTA, 14 November 2018 – More than a month after the disastrous earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, Habitat for Humanity’s response focuses on addressing the emergency water, sanitation, hygiene, and shelter needs of disaster-affected families starting in Wisolo and Jono villages in Dolo Selatan, Sigi district.
More than 300 shelter kits and 150 hygiene kits were distributed to families as Habitat for Humanity continues to work with the local authorities to coordinate assistance and support the needs in hard-hit areas. Hundreds of thousands of displaced families in the hard-hit areas of Sigi, Dongala and Palu are still staying in evacuation camps and in makeshift homes. Living conditions are difficult especially when it rains or when it is extremely hot in the day and cold at night.
Susanto Samsudin, National Director of Habitat for Humanity in Indonesia said, ”Despite of the pressing challenges, we stand together with our Sulawesi brothers and sisters as we move forward and help address the growing shelter needs of disaster-affected families and communities.”
More than 500 aftershocks have been recorded since the quake hit adding to risks of possible landslides. Access to hard-hit areas remain a challenge, especially in areas where power, communications, roads, and supplies of fuel, food and water are badly affected.
From government reports, at least 68,451 homes are completely destroyed or damaged as tsunami floods and land liquefaction wiped out entire communities. Disaster management authorities say that altogether over 2.4 million people have been affected with housing damages and losses amounting to IDR 7.9 trillion (US$ 519.13 million)
Habitat for Humanity Indonesia is among the first NGOs on the ground working to assist families in a disaster response that will be rolled out in three phases – relief, recovery and reconstruction within the span of three years or more. Providing emergency shelter and repair kits and transitional shelters in the coming months will help give families safe sheltering options while enabling them to clear debris and rubble. Addressing this will help families as they eventually prepare to reconstruct their homes with the help of local capacity building initiatives and other technical and construction support provided by Habitat Indonesia.
“We pray that amid the tragedy that befell many of our countrymen, they would still be able to find strength and hope in their hearts to rebuild their lives and communities. We are calling for public support, asking our fellow Indonesians to share their blessings through our fundraising drive,” Samsudin added.
Support Habitat for Humanity’s disaster response efforts:
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Donate online at bit.ly/Donate2Indonesia;
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Donate via bank transfer to Habitat for Humanity Indonesia’s bank account at Bank Central Asia - BCA 210.300.2958 Account name: Habitat Kemanusiaan Ind Yay please add number code “1” in your donation (ex Rp 500.001) and email the proof of transfer to Finance@habitatindonesia.org;
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For corporate giving and partnerships, please contact Habitat for Humanity Indonesia’s Resource Development Director, Tommy Pacatang at tommy@habitatindonesia.org or +62 896-6105-8196.
Note to Editors
To set up interviews, receive photos or further information; please contact Aaron Aspi, aaspi@habitat.org or +63 920 956 9181.
About Habitat for Humanity
Driven by the vision that everyone needs a decent place to live, Habitat for Humanity began in 1976 as a grassroots effort. The Christian housing organization has since grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. In the Asia-Pacific region since 1983, Habitat for Humanity has supported more than 3.5 million people to build or improve a place they can call home. Through financial support, volunteering or adding a voice to support affordable housing, everyone can help families achieve the strength, stability and self-reliance they need to build better lives for themselves. Through shelter, we empower. To learn more, donate or volunteer, visit habitat.org/asiapacific