In August, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake that caused widespread damage throughout the island of Lombok. Just over one month later, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami off the island of Sulawesi, causing even greater levels of destruction. Three days before Christmas a volcano erupted, triggering another tsunami in the Sunda Strait that left homes in ruins.
In just four months, three major disasters devastated communities throughout Indonesia, killing over 3,000 people and leaving thousands more in need of humanitarian assistance. Thank you for your generous donation helping families in need.
Through our local Christian partners, over 25,000 people have begun their journey of recovery after these devastating disasters.
World Renew is leveraging the support of individuals, families and churches in North America with support from organizational partners to have an even greater impact. Please give generously on CFGB Sunday, March 3rd.
For example, after the Lombok earthquake left many families without a roof over their heads, World Renew responded by providing 200 families with temporary shelter and emergency food assistance to get through some of the most difficult months. In the months since then, we have begun to look towards longer-term recovery efforts that leave families stronger and better prepared for future disasters.
Denda Susanti was in her home when the earthquake began in the middle of the night. As the house began to shake around her, she immediately round outside to the road where it was safer with her family. The earthquake completely destroyed their home, forcing them to sleep outside. Yet, with little protection from cool nights and rainfall, living outside is difficult.
Denda was 5 months pregnant when the earthquake struck and was worried about potential problems with her pregnancy. Thankfully, her baby stayed healthy throughout this time. When World Renew’s local partner heard about Denda and her family’s needs, they provided them with materials to build a new home that would provide protection from the elements.
“We are happy because we have received this temporary shelter so we can stay safer and more comfortable,” Denda shares. “We are working together with seven other family members to build our houses.”
Hundreds of kilometers away, on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, one of the biggest concerns for families is proper hygiene and sanitation. Without reliable access to clean drinking water, many families have been at risk of deadly illnesses like cholera and typhoid. After the tsunami destroyed many latrines, families have been left in even more difficult circumstances. In response, World Renew’s local partner provided families with clean drinking water, and is providing support to communities as they rebuild latrines.
Communities living near the Sunda Strait are also beginning to get back on their feet after a major tsunami struck just three days before Christmas. World Renew’s partner began providing emergency assistance to families within days of the disaster, and continues to walk alongside those in greatest need as they begin their journey of recovery. In the midst of these incredibly difficult months, your support has helped World Renew those in greatest need, like Denda.
Through your support Denda and many others now have food to eat, roofs over their heads, and are protected from deadly illnesses caused by unclean drinking water. As families recover in the months and years to come, your ongoing support is needed to enable our local partners to continue to respond.
Thank you for choosing to partner with World Renew in this important work.
Support the Indonesian Earthquakes and other disasters around the world through your donations to World Renew