From Earthquake to Pandemic, the Assistance Keeps Running
The COVID-19 comes after the earthquake and tsunami in Donggala, Central Sulawesi end. It just rubs the salt into the wound of people who live in Marana village. This is the second year of recovery phase after the earthquake and tsunami happened last September 2018. However, another disaster comes: COVID-19 pandemic. Like most of people in Indonesia, most of families in Marana are affected economically by the pandemic.
As one of the assisted villages, Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) distributes the food package assistance for families in Marana affected by COVID-19. Around 310 households get 5 kgs of rice, 2 kgs of mung bean and one tray of chicken egg. Meanwhile, 110 people who previously got temporary shelter are also facilitated by with emergency lamp. Both food packages and emergency lamps distributed by WVI are fully supported by United Kingdom Government through Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC). The government of Marana village and volunteers for COVID-19 response facilitate the process.
Lina and Adrian are two people who get the food package and emergency lamp. They follow the distribution process in an open field by implementing health protocols: wearing mask and washing hands using soap. Lina, as a housewife and mother, is grateful for the assistance.
“Thank you for giving us the food package. Now, we can use it for our daily needs,” she said.
Like Lina, Adrian, a farmer who is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, is also thankful for the assistance.
“Thank you DEC and WVI for the help that we got after the earthquake until today when we are affected by the pandemic. This package really helps me when I cannot do my daily job as a farmer. I hope that all people in Marana also feel grateful as I am,” said Adrian.
The food package and emergency lamp distribution is part of WVI’s response for COVID-19 in Central Sulawesi which is integrated with 2018’s earthquake and tsunami response. This assistance is expected to help people affected by the pandemic.
Written by Rena Tanjung, Communications Officer, Wahana Visi Indonesia
