Call for urgent donations to assist children and families

Interview opportunity in Jogjakarta

Emergency aid being distributed by Plan – an international children’s development agency working on the ground when the earthquake struck near Jogjakarta – continues to reach children and families injured or left homeless by the quake.

Plan, which has worked in Indonesia since 1969 and presently assists over 54,000 children and their families, asks Australians to support its Indonesian Earthquake Appeal launched earlier this week.

Plan’s Disaster Coordinator in Jogjakarta Brook Weisman-Ross says the need for emergency aid continues to escalate. 

“Fortunately, Plan was able to respond very quickly as we had a team on the ground responding to the possible explosion of Mount Merapi,� says Mr Weisman-Ross, who was in the area at the time overseeing Plan’s relief efforts at the nearby volcano.

The worst affected area is the district of Bantul, directly to the south of Jogjakarta where up to 90 per cent of homes were destroyed.

Plan national executive director in Australia Ian Wishart says Plan will continue to provide emergency assistance and will help in the long-term reconstruction of communities affected by the 6.2 magnitude quake that struck near the city of Jogjakarta on May 27 killing more than 5000 people, injuring thousands more and leaving an estimated 200,000 people homeless.

“Plan’s response in these critical first hours included distributing over 2,000 blankets, 786 adult hygiene kits, 667 child hygiene kits and 93 packs of garbage bags to some of the areas hardest hit by the earthquake.

“Plan is also sourcing plastic tarpaulin sheets for 6,000 emergency family shelters, blankets, 5,000 sleeping mats, hygiene kits for children and adults, recreational kits, school kits and baby emergency supplies,� Mr Wishart says.

To help communities affected by the quake rebuild their lives, Plan over the next six months will re-establish healthcare services including communicative disease control; establish temporary primary and early childhood care and development (ECCD) centres; construct and equip schools and train teachers as needed; provide water and sanitation and temporary housing and household kits to survivors; and ensure child protection issues are not overlooked.

Make a  secure online donation today or phone 13 PLAN (13 7526).  Plan Indonesia Earthquke Appeal funds may also assist children and families affected by the possible eruption of Mr Merapi.