Indonesia Cyclone Seroja – Update

Update: Wednesday, April 14, 2021

Background:
On Easter weekend, Cyclone Seroja hammered the islands of Indonesia, striking some areas more than once. As a result, roads and cities were flooded, thousands of people were displaced, and many homes and other buildings were severely damaged. Word & Deed has been in touch with our partners there, Children of Light (COL), and we are grateful to hear that while some lives were lost, most were spared in this disaster.

Update:
The material needs of those impacted continue to mount. Ten days after the cyclone hit the country, the government’s priority continues to be on the major cities and they have yet to provide any aid to the remote villages. Word & Deed initially sent $10,000 USD in relief funds and have since then sent an additional $10,000 USD so that our partners could buy food and medical supplies for the people in need in the rural areas. With the funds received, the relief team purchased rice, noodles, cooking oil, sugar, and water. However, as supplies are limited, the stores are running out of food for people to buy and so our partners have gone directly to farmers to purchase rice. Many villages are inaccessible right now due to debris on the roads and the erosion of land from the flooding, but we are slowly connecting with them again to ensure that they have access to food and other supplies.

What can you do?
Please continue to pray for those affected as much clean-up will need to be done and the rebuilding of homes and other buildings will need to occur. It will take many months for the people to recover from this tragedy and the disaster response team is in need of wisdom and clarity on what options to prioritize in their relief efforts. Please also remember the students and teachers of COL who have been struggling to continue with their education in the midst of COVID and now this disaster. May they experience the truths expressed in Psalm 46:“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling… The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.”

If you would like to make a donation to help support these relief efforts, click here: Canada, USA We are grateful for your care and compassion for these precious people.