A Series of Echoes

1. Bengkulu Earthquake

There is no shortage of news about the latest natural disaster to hit Indonesia. The TV and radio relay news about relief efforts. There is information on the net about aid for other recent disasters but I am having difficulty in ascertaining where and how donations can be made, and what they should be.

Damage to buildings and infrastructure is extensive but, fortunately loss of life has been minimal. This may be due to greater awareness of potential earthquake damage following the previous Bengkulu earthquake in June 2000 of similar magnitude, 7.9 and, of course, the Aceh one in December 2004.

The Jakartass advice in the seeming absence of anything official, at least in the form of updated websites, is to let the professionals get on with their work and contact your country's Red Cross/Crescent.

In Indonesia, Palang Merah is already active in the affected areas and donations can be made to their bank account:
Bank Mandiri
Cabang Wisma Baja
(Swift Code: B E I I I D J A)
a/c 070.00001.160.17
a/n Palang Merah Indonesia
 

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