Six photos of hope amidst disaster: Indonesia’s earthquakes and tsunami
Written by Sydney Morton
Wreckage and heartache remain on the islands of Lombok and Sulawesi, Indonesia after earthquakes and a tsunami devastated communities. Months into their recovery, signs of hope, strength and humanity are also evident — everywhere. Day in and day out, residents are moving beyond the rubble with resilience.
This summer, communities on the island of Lombok, Indonesia endured five powerful earthquakes. Terrifying aftershocks followed for weeks-on-end. An estimated 3.5 million people have been affected, with almost 500,000 people displaced from their homes. Miles away and just weeks later, a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Sulawesi, Indonesia — triggering a tsunami, mudslides and liquefaction. More than 2,000 people were killed and 68,000+ houses damaged or destroyed.
Each person’s story illustrates strength, hope and humanity.
Nissa Purnasari, 14, is the youngest of ten children. Her home was demolished in the earthquakes. Her father, who is a farmer, has been salvaging bricks in hopes of rebuilding.
“My favorite subject in school is math” explains Nissa. Her school was one of many to collapse in the earthquakes in northern Lombok. Tragically, Nissa also lost a close friend in the disaster. Despite all that students like Nissa have endured, they are determined to keep learning. Classes are back in session, in temporary schools made of tarps.
“I want to be an entrepreneur like my mother” she explains with pride. Indonesian Red Cross volunteers are helping young people like Nissa cope with the emotional impacts of this disaster. Photo: Kathy Muller/IFRC.
Illham works at his family’s shop in the bustling city of Mataram. Around lunchtime, students from the nearby school line up to buy iced drinks, the famous vegetable fritters and other sweet snacks.
For weeks, business was disrupted as earthquakes and aftershocks rocked communities in Lombok. Many families lost their homes, livelihoods and sense of normalcy in the earthquakes. Small business owners have been hit particularly hard by the economic impacts of this disaster.
Illham said with determination: “We keep going. We still have to work hard and serve our customers with a smile.” Now that the tremors have stopped, Illham’s customers are returning. For local community members in Mataram, the line outside of Illham’s shop is a sign of hope and recovery. Photo: Sydney Morton/American Red Cross.
Silmi, 3, tries on her mother’s new Red Cross uniform. When frightening earthquakes hit home, Ifa was inspired to take action. Amidst frightening aftershocks, she signed up to volunteer with the Indonesian Red Cross as part of her community’s disaster response team.
The Red Cross trains local leaders, like Ifa, with skills in disaster response and preparedness, to support their neighbors through times of disaster and crisis.
“Now I know how to keep my neighbors safe,” Ifa said proudly. Photo: Sydney Morton/American Red Cross.
Eliza, 17, was trapped inside of her bathroom as the terrifying tsunami hit — destroying her village of Dongala, on the island of Sulawesi.
When Eliza finally escaped, she ran outside to find the streets flooded with people fleeing for their lives. In all of the chaos, Eliza was separated from her family for an excruciating 24-hours.
At last, Eliza reunited with her loved ones. Together — and with gratitude for their reunion — Eliza and her family are rebuilding their lives in Sulawesi. Photo: Benjamin Suomela/Finnish Red Cross.
An Indonesian Red Cross volunteer comforts a local community member experiencing trauma, in the aftermath of the disasters. Although it’s been months since the tsunami destroyed her hometown, emotional scars persist.
Indonesian Red Cross volunteers are trained in psychosocial support and helping community members cope with the devastation. Many of the volunteers are victims of the disasters themselves. Specialized volunteers are also helping children process their emotions through games and songs.
Sometimes, community members just need a safe place to express themselves — or a comforting hug — through the recovery process. Photo: Benjamin Suomela/Finnish Red Cross.
Life has changed drastically for Arif and Fuad, both age 7, who lost their home when the tsunami stuck Palu.
Following the disaster, the boys’ family members suffered injuries and illness. The Red Cross is helping to keep kids like Arif and Fuad, and their loved ones, healthy with free medical support and clinics.
Even after all they have endured, the boys find a way to smile and continue being kids. As they play and greet friends, their laughter is contagious — brightening the days of those around them, picking up the pieces. Photo: Antony Balmain/Australian Red Cross.
ABOUT RED CROSS IN SULAWESI AND LOMBOK
Thus far, the American Red Cross has contributed $1 million to relief efforts on the islands of Sulawesi and Lombok — in addition to deploying nine disaster responders.
Prior to the earthquake, the American Red Cross worked alongside the Indonesian Red Cross (locally known as Palang Merah Indonesia) to prepare communities — including through disaster simulations, teaching earthquake preparedness in schools, and providing first aid training.
Sydney Morton is an American Red Cross staff member who spent a month in Lombok, Indonesia supporting earthquake relief efforts, on behalf of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and in support of the Indonesian Red Cross (locally referred to as Palang Merah Indonesia).
