Residents try to salvage items from the ruins of their houses after the earthquake.More than 1,400 people have lost their lives due to the double disaster of a 7.5-magnitude earthquake, and a tsunami that devastated Sulawesi, Indonesia on Friday, September 28. And according to Indonesia's national disaster agency, threats of aftershocks remain. Further, many roads are blocked, making the search and rescue efforts, and damage assessment difficult. According to the United Nations humanitarian office, about 200,000 people are in need of emergency relief.
If you want to help, here’s are some organisations you can reach out to right here in Hong Kong.
Hong Kong Red Cross
In response to the pressing need for humanitarian aid, Hong Kong Red Cross have already mobilised HK$200,000 for the relief work. The HKRC also provides emergency tracing services for Hongkongers who might be looking for missing family members in the areas affected by the disaster.
According to Yvonne Ho, the Assistant Corporate Communications Manager of HKRC, due to cost and time, they are now looking for money donations instead of any type of in-kind donations (that would be goods or services). This will be used on relief operations, recovery programmes or aftershock preparedness projects for people affected.
For more details, check out the HKRC website. For enquiries, call 2802 0016 or email [email protected]
Oxfam
"Oxfam is scaling up its response to reach 500,000 people with essential aid supplies like ready-to-eat food, water purification kits and shelter packs," said Ancilla Bere, Oxfam’s Humanitarian Manager in Indonesia.
Oxfam is appealing to the public for donations to support their efforts in assisting the Indonesian government in post-disaster recovery. There are a number of ways through which you can donate, including with credit card, bank transfer, the Octopus app, Alipay HK app, and more.
To donate online, visit their website. For further enquiries, call 3120 5000 or email them at [email protected]
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Save the Children
International NGO Save the Children is appealing to the ublic for donations for emergency relief for victims of the earthquake and tsunami, and for children in particular. The organisation points out that, with a rising death toll, children are especially vulnerable in such catastrophes. At the moment, the organisation is not accepting in-kind donations.
Visit their website to donate. For further enquiries, call 3160 8686, or email them at [email protected]
World Vision Hong Kong
While its counterpart in Palu, Indonesia is currently supporting the disaster area by feeding the affected children, and providing child support programmes, World Vision's Hong Kong office is urging people to donate money to help. The donation methods include online donation, bank transfer, donation via 7-eleven, and PPS by Internet.
Check out their webiste for more information. For further enquiries, call the donation hotline at 2394 2394, or email them at [email protected]
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Unicef Hong Kong
Unicef is now working with local authorities as well as the Ministry of Health in Indonesia on how they can help. Together, they are tracing children who have been separated from their parents in the deadly disaster, and they're helping to feed the youngest and most vulnerable. They are providing clean water and psychological support to children in emergencies as well. UNICEF Hong Kong is calling on Hong Kong people to support the relief work and help the affected children and their families in Sulawesi. Due to logistic reasons, they are not accepting in-kind donation at the moment.
“With each new report about this devastating earthquake and tsunami, our concern increases for the safety of children in Palu, Donggala and other sites hit by the disaster," says Jane Lau, Chief Executive of Unicef Hong Kong.
To specifically help affected children and families in Indonesia, you can make an online donation here. To help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in general, you can make an online donation or donate by direct bank-in. You can find details for direct back-in donations and more on the Unicef Hong Kong website, or call their hotline at 2833 6139.
The Salvation Army Hong Kong
The Salvation Army’s Territorial Headquarters in Bandung has activated an Indonesia Emergency Services Team, and a major disaster response in Central Sulawesi is being planned. You may find the details and latest updates on the organisation’s relief work at on their website. Public donations will go to the Salvation Army's South Pacific and East Asia Disaster Fund, which is coordinated by the organisation’s International Headquarters.
You can make your donation here.