Baptists Responding to Lombok Earthquakes - Word&Way

Baptists Responding to Lombok Earthquakes

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Earthquakes that shook the Indonesian island of Lombok over the past week have resulted in at least 430 deaths, and the government is estimating economic losses in excess of several hundred million dollars.

Personnel using heavy equipment attempt to evacuate victims of a collapsed mosque in Lading-Lading, Tanjung, North Lombok (Wikimedia Commons)Personnel using heavy equipment attempt to evacuate victims of a collapsed mosque in Lading-Lading, Tanjung, North Lombok (Wikimedia Commons)Asia Pacific Baptist Aid (APBAid) is working with Baptist churches in Indonesia that are joining with other nonprofits to assess the needs and provide support to those who are affected by the quakes. Transform Aid International of Australia is also coordinating Baptist groups responding to the situation.

Damage to homes, infrastructure, and other property is estimated to be at least $342 million USD. The magnitude 6.9 initial quake flattened thousands of homes. “The damage and losses are very large,” a disaster agency spokesman told CBS News.

APBAid reports that the central government has deployed clean drinking water, ready-to-eat food, tents, and medical teams and medicine.

BWAid is a ministry of the Baptist World Alliance. It works with Baptist bodies throughout the world in connecting resources with relief and development needs. Gifts to support the relief efforts may be given through Baptist World Aid (BWAid) at bwanet.org. (Please note “Disaster response” in the comment section of the form.)