Thousands of people who have had their lives devastated by the deadly earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia will be given urgently needed shelter and clean water, thanks to a grant from the Freemasons.
According to Indonesian authorities, over 2,000 people are now known to have died, making this 2018’s deadliest earthquake. It is estimated that over 80,000 people have been displaced from their homes and are living in temporary evacuation centers, affecting the lives of over one million people.After conducting the rapid needs assessment in Sigi, Palu and Parigi Moutong, Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (YPII) will provide support to 10,000 families over the next six months, prioritising our emergency response in four areas: child protection, education, shelter and WASH, with a particular focus on girls.
The first batch of 1,000 shelters kits and 1,000 hygiene kits has arrived in Palu and distribution to affected families currently is underway, with over 400 hygiene kits and 400 shelter kits distributed so far.
A £70,000 grant will be split evenly between Plan International UK and the Red Cross. Plan will be able to provide shelter kits to 593 families (2,610 people), while the Red Cross will be helping 160,000 people with safe water and improved sanitation.
The current death toll stands at more than 2,000, with over 5,000 people listed as missing. As many as 1.5 million have been affected, with many having lost homes and many more living without power, clean water or medical provision.
The grant comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
David Innes, chief executive of the Masonic Charitable Foundation, said: “This is a terrible time for the people of Indonesia, and I am very pleased that the Masonic community have been able to move fast and provide Plan International and the Red Cross with funds to provide life-saving shelter and clean water to many thousands of people in need.”
Alan Gosschalk, fundraising director of Plan International UK, said: “We are incredibly grateful to the Freemasons for providing this grant to help those whose lives have been turned upside down by the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia.
People urgently need clean water, shelter and food and our team is responding by distributing shelter kits, blankets and tarpaulins to the affected communities.”
Ben Webster, British Red Cross’ head of emergencies, said: “I would like to thank the Freemasons for their generous grant of £35,000 to the Indonesian Earthquake and Tsunami Appeal, which will go towards helping 160,000 people with safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene kits alongside other essential aspects of the Red Cross response”.
