The Camillian Disaster Service International (CADIS) embarks anew on a post-disaster needs assessment in Palu and Lombok Indonesia in collaboration with Fondazione L’Albero della Vita (FADV). The team composed of two volunteers – Sr. Daisy Carmona, SMI of CADIS Asia and  Mr. Biplab Chakrabarty of FADV – visited the affected communities in Kota Palu, Kulawi in Sigi and the nearby village of Central Sulawesi which was heavily affected by the horrific earthquake and tsunami in 2018.

Lombok had suffered from a 6,9 magnitude earthquake in August 2018 while Palu with a 7,5 magnitude with horrendous tsunami and liquefaction a month after. These resulted in serious damage to infrastructures, market, and business investments leaving hundreds of thousands of people injured, displaced, missing and dead. Surviving family members are suffering from trauma and fear.

The assessment team has visited the villages affected by the devastating calamities in coordination with Caritas Socio-economic Commission of Manado, Caritas Internationalis, and other humanitarian organizations on the ground. The team has conducted interviews, focus-group discussions, disaster awareness and hygiene promotion campaign from the various age groups and genders. These activities help them to identify needs and gaps in the affected communities.

CADIS is committed to rebuild and strengthen the resilience of communities. It enjoins with concerned and committed individuals and groups to share their blessings (human and material) to the people of Palu and Lombok. Let the outbreak of charity find its way through our hearts, heads, and hands.

Today, the team after spending a week in Palu begins its 5-day assessment mission in Lombok. A school disaster preparedness campaign was conducted at Mataram Parochial School headed by Mr. Romo Woda.

The team will visit the villages of Lenek, Tanjung and other affected communities of North Lombok. The team will also visit the water points rehabilitated and repaired by CADIS at the onset of the event through the generous support of its confreres, partners, and benefactors. The water points restore access of communities to safe and potable water supply.

by Sr. Daisy Carmona, SMI

PHOTOGALLERY