Earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia

Women like Ningsih are leading the way, thanks to your support. Ningsih lives with her husband and 3 year old son in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Her husband was a fisherman – but the tsunami last fall destroyed their boat. Without it, they’ve been struggling to recover, like so many families across the region.

Ningsih got connected with ActionAid and our community-based coalition and joined a women’s group. There, she’s learning more about her rights as a woman and tsunami-survivor, gaining skills to make living, and helping her whole community to build back stronger.

Our teammate Rachid Boumnijel’s shared his thoughts from Sulawesi:

“One of the most humbling things about being here, as a man, has been witnessing first-hand how vital women are to rebuilding a community. I know from experience as an aid worker that, when local women lead the response to a disaster, it can make a huge difference in the long term.

"Women like Lian [who has organized community kitchens], or like my colleague Francisca “Iko” Fitri, who heads ActionAid in Indonesia, are often the first responders to a crisis like this, and they bring knowledge and skills that make the relief effort more effective. They also help prepare the community for the future, preventing new emergencies.

"But all too often, when disaster strikes and a relief effort swings into action, women are marginalised and their skills ignored. When this happens, the whole community suffers.”

Together, we're creating a world where women's leadership is valued and their needs are met.

Thank you for making it possible!

When the earthquake and tsunami hit Sulawesi, Indonesia, this September, you took action. Your donation made it possible for ActionAid, in coalition with local partners, to immediately respond in Palu, Donggala and Sigi, Indonesia, reaching more than 60,000 people, by:

• coordinating search and rescue
• providing relief supplies at makeshift camps, including tents, water, food, mosquito nets, blankets, toothpaste, toothbrushes, underwear, sanitary protection, diapers, baby powder, baby clothes and food
• running public emergency kitchens, serving hot food to people displaced by the disaster

But this is just the beginning. ActionAid is continuing to work through trusted, local, community-based organizations - including Sikola Mombine, WALHI Sulawesi Tengah, and Solidaritas Perempuan Palu – to support those affected by the earthquake and tsunami as they lead the way to recovery.

As part of our long-term recovery efforts, we’re running women friendly spaces in Palu, Donggala, and Sigi, which will support thousands of women to help their community build back stronger than ever in 2019. We know that women’s participation in decision-making during disasters is not only a fundamental human right, it helps save lives by supporting whole communities to respond and prepare for future emergencies.

It costs just $75 per day to run one of these women’s resource spaces. Will you donate $75 to sponsor one day, and stand with the bright women who are leading disaster recovery in Indonesia?

Siti ’Juli’ Zulaika, Director of Solidaritas Perempuan Palu, explains the importance of these spaces:

“Before the disaster, it was difficult for women to develop as leaders outside their homes because they needed permission from the husbands. These challenges still exist but through the women’s groups, women have shown how they can lead the recovery in their communities.”

That’s the power we have together. When you donate to disaster response through ActionAid, you’re investing in change that lasts. Thank you so much again for your compassion and commitment to this cause!

P.S. We’re also responding to the December tsunami in Indonesia’s Sunda Strait. Click here to learn more and support emergency relief.