A tsunami at Indonesia's Sunda Strait, believed to be triggered by an underwater landslide, has caused the deaths of more than 280 people and the destruction of numerous public and private properties and amenities. President Halimah Yacob and PM Lee Hsien Loong have conveyed their condolences to Indonesia. In expressing Singapore's solidarity with the people of Indonesia, Lee also indicated that Singapore stands ready to offer any assistance should it be required by Indonesia.
At the time of writing, Indonesia has yet to ask for help from its neighbours.
Here in Singapore, several NGOs/VWOs such as the Red Cross and Mercy Relief have begun providing immediate disaster recovery/humanitarian relief assistance to Indonesia. The Singapore Red Cross is providing $50,000 worth of assistance to fund the purchase of items such as blankets, sleeping mats, and water filtration systems. Mercy Relief is complementing this effort, and has launched a public fundraising appeal that will run until 25 January 2019. Donations can be made through these channels:
1) Credit Card donation via Mercy Relief’s website: www.mercyrelief.org
2) Crossed cheque made out to “Mercy Relief Limited” with “Sunda Strait Tsunami Relief 2018” and email address written on the back of the cheque, and mailed to Blk 160, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #01-1568, Singapore 310160
3) Cash donations at Blk 160, Lorong 1 Toa Payoh, #01-1568, Singapore 310160
4) Fund transfer to Mercy Relief’s DBS Current Account 054-900741-2
5) Crowdfund via giving.sg for the “Sunda Strait Tsunami Relief 2018”: https://www.giving.sg/mercy-relief/sunda_strait_tsunami_relief
In the spirit of giving this Christmas, do your part for our friends in Indonesia.
For the governments of Singapore and Indonesia, now is nor the time to for political posturing. The welfare and the well-being of the people of the victims have to be prioritised, above all else. Where assistance is needed, do what we can to help our neighbours without being too calculative about it.
The writer, Faith, feels that every natural disaster is an opportunity to strengthen our bonds with our neighbours.
