Natural Disasters: How You Can Help

The Sunda Strait tsunami, tropical storm in Thailand and Lombok’s earthquake have left many families in these areas stricken. Here’s how you can help

While the new year may mean resolutions, back-to-school supplies, juice cleanses and 2019 travel plans for some of us, it has not started out well for those affected by the Sunda Strait tsunami and tropical storm Pabuk in Thailand. On 22 December 2018, Indonesia’s Sunda Strait was hit with by a tsunami triggered by Anak Krakatau volcano, causing a death toll of over 400 in the Banten province. Tropical storm Pabuk was one of the worst storms to hit the Gulf of Thailand in 30 years. Meanwhile, Lombok is still recovering from the back-to-back 6.3- and 7.0-magnitude earthquakes that shook the island back in August.

Want to lend a helping hand, mama? While volunteer work may not be for everyone, you can contribute to the organisations below. All proceeds (except where otherwise indicated) will go towards aiding the affected areas and helping to improve the living conditions to the families and children in need.

Medecins Sans Frontieres (“MSF”), also known as Doctors Without Borders, is an international medical humanitarian aid organisation that provides free, quality medical and humanitarian aid to populations in crisis. MSF currently operates relief activities in over 70 countries around the world, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999 in recognition of its independence, impact and impartiality in the delivery of vital humanitarian aid. As MSF has not yet been registered in Singapore, you can donate to the organisation’s general emergency fund via its regional office. To earmark your donations to specific missions, write to Lauren Ho, Singapore Liaison, at [email protected] for further information.

The Singapore Red Cross has launched a month-long public appeal (now till 25 January 2019) for donations, which will go towards the purchase of relief items for Sunda Strait tsunami displaced survivors; and longer-term recovery and rebuilding efforts. They also accept cash and cheque donations. If you’d like to also make a donation to provide relief to the local poor and vulnerable in Singapore, you can do so on the Be A Singapore Red Cross Champion fundraising campaign.

Mercy Relief will be conducting its first phase of emergency relief operations together with its ground partners to address the urgent needs of the disaster survivors. Together with your help, Mercy Relief will be able to provide timely and effective aid to the affected communities between the islands of Sumatra and Java.

In collaboration with Yayasan Project Karma Indonesia and Hotel Tugu Lombok, Yayasan Team Action Amed was able to offer support to people in crisis arriving on the ground soon after the first earthquake. They have been able to form a network of correspondents and medical teams and have provided supplies, aid and assistance to the communities most heavily affected including supplying over 750 homes. They continue to do so while Lombok recovers and rebuilds and appreciate and accept donations to support their efforts.

Have more suggestions for organisations accepting donations, mama? Let us know at [email protected]!

*Do note that all donations for foreign charitable causes are not eligible for tax deduction.