The Moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, Rt Rev Dr Charles McMullen, launched a special Indonesia Tsunami Appeal, to help bring aid to the tens of thousands who are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance following the recent devastating earthquake and tsunami.
In anticipation of a generous response from congregations, the Church has released £60,000/€67,800 to be distributed to its relief and development partners, Christian Aid and Tearfund. Both organisations are already working through their partners on the ground to get food, shelter and medical help to those in need. A third will also go to PCI’s partner organisation, the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (CCI), which is also working on the ground.
Dr McMullen said, “Over recent days we have witnessed many distressing scenes from the Sulawesi area of Indonesia, where around 1.5 million people have been affected by this powerful earthquake and tsunami. With more than 1,400 people confirmed to have lost their lives in the disaster, rescuers are predicting that the death toll will rise significantly in the coming days.”
Hundreds of thousands of survivors are now in urgent need of humanitarian assistance after the earthquake, which struck off the coast of Central Sulawesi on 28th September measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale. Triggering a tsunami with waves 18 feet high, tens of thousands of homes have been destroyed and entire communities have been decimated. Hospitals, roads and bridges and the local airport have been damaged. The city of Palu was badly affected, as were many other areas, which rescuers are struggling to reach.
One report received from CCI describes the need for basic supplies in the devastation. It also spoke of the destruction of a church building engulfed in mud. It was hosting a Bible camp for 140 young people – it is thought that only 40 of them survived.
Dr McMullen continued, “It is distressing to hear of so many people whose lives have been devastated in an instant and who are now in desperate need of emergency assistance and the very basics for survival: clean water, food and shelter, not forgetting of course, medical help.”
“Given the scale of this disaster, I am calling on Presbyterian members and congregations to respond in a generous and timely way, just as they have on many previous occasions, so we can play our part in saving lives and restoring hope to the many who face this catastrophic situation.”
Dr McMullen concluded by saying, “I also encourage members of our congregations to pray earnestly for those who are experiencing such unimaginable hardship, loss and suffering at this time. As they attempt not only to rebuild their homes, communities and livelihoods, but deal with the trauma of what has happened, please pray and give generously.”
You can donate now as the Presbyterian Moderator launches Indonesia Tsunami Appeal.
You can donate via the PCI Appeals website here.
Follow the Presbyterian Moderator on Twitter here.
