Lombok Earthquake Relief
Two and a half months ago a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the northern Lombok region in Indonesia. I was living on the island of Gili Trawangan, not too far from the epicenter. The damage on Gili alone was unimaginable. Buildings collapsed, walls fell out and many streets became impassible from the rubble. Several people lost their lives on Gili, and many more were injured.
But the devastation to northern Lombok was catastrophic. The death toll is over 560. 13,000 injured. 380,000 people are displaced or homeless. The poverty stricken areas of northern Lombok are completely ravaged. More than 80% of the buildings collapsed. Over 450 schools are either destroyed or too damaged to be safe.
An earthquake is not a one time event. Several more 7 magnitude earthquakes followed the main one weeks later along with many over magnitude 6. In total, over 600 aftershocks have been recorded.
The people in Lombok have virtually nothing. Hundreds of thousands of people are living outside in camps all across the region. These people need food, water, medicine, diapers, towels, blankets, tarps, tents, clothing and other supplies in the immediate future. And, they need building materials to rebuild their homes.
To make matters worse, the monsoon season is approaching. In roughly one month, once the rain starts, these outdoor camps could become a breeding ground of sickness and disease. It is absolutely vital that the 380,000 people get back inside a proper home by that time!
PLEASE HELP THE PEOPLE OF LOMBOK! A donation of any amount goes a very long way. Just $10 can buy enough rice to feed 150 people.
All funds raised will be split between the Pituq Foundation and the Endri Foundation - Lombok's Forgotten Children. These two charity organizations have teams on the ground in Lombok and are working tirelessly to help the people. I am in personal contact with the managers of both of these charities, and will be sending the money directly to them.
PITUQ FOUNDATION
Ana, the organizer of Pituq Foundation has a team of 50 to 100 volunteers who have been working nearly around the clock since the earthquake to locate people in cut-off, remote villages and distribute supplies to them. Her volunteers are also working specifically to set up water filters for drinking water, showers, wells, bath-water and setting up earthquake-proof toilets and earthquake-proof school facilities. Her team is fully volunteer based, with everyone supporting themselves and no donation money going towards their living expenses. For more information on the Pituq Foundation and the relief effort they are doing, visit the Pituq Foundation web page.
ENDRI FOUNDATION
Peter Honey is one of the organizers of the Endri Foundation - Lombok's Forgotten Children. Funds donated to them will go toward's Peter's Big Build Project, devoted to getting 45,000 temporary houses and 35,000 toilets set up in the next few months to house the 380,000 people who have lost their homes during the monsoon season. The aim of this project is to provide the materials and funds necessary to rebuild, but get the actual work back into the hands of Lombok locals, so people can build their own homes. For more information on the Endri Foundation, visit the Endri Foundation web page or check out their Facebook group page which has up to date pictures and videos on the efforts they are doing.
100% OF THE MONEY YOU DONATE GOES DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE IN NEED!
Here’s how it works:
1. Your Donation is processed on GoFundMe’s website.
2. The funds are withdrawn to my US bank account with UW Credit Union.
3. I send half the funds via my personal PayPal account to [email redacted], the PayPal account for the Pituq Foundation.
4. I send the other half of the funds via my personal PayPal account to [email redacted].nz, the PayPal account of Stacee Honey with the Endri Foundation.
5. I cover any differences due to GoFundMe and PayPal fees. The amount that you donate is the same amount that goes to the people in Lombok.
My name is Sean Elijah Kramer. I am originally from the US, but have been living in Southeast Asia for the last two years. I work as a PADI Dive Instructor. I personally know members of the Pituq Foundation and Endri Foundation from when I was living in Lombok, Indonesia this past summer.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT!!
There is a long way to go and a lot of work to be done but together we can make a difference.
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A few of my own post earthquake photos from Gili Trawangan:
Photos from Lombok (not my photos):
