I am Ok - Breathe On Sister Breathe On

Hello everyone. First you all know, through my dad that I am ok. Saturday morning privided 2 of the most terrifying experiences of my life- first 57 seconds of magnitude 6 earthquake and 2 hours later, crazy panic as people fled from an imaginary tsunami. it wasn't clear at first how severe the damage was, and I did contemplate leaving on Saturday afternoon. However, yesterday I headed out with some friends to Bantul. We spent a lot of our own money on buying food, water, medicine to take to the people down there who have lost everything. The pattern of devastation is random, buildings stand with no damage next to piles of rubble. I went to a refugee camp and what I saw was so sad. However amongst all the horror the people down there are still smiling. Aid is filtering through and international NGO's are getting in slowly. Sadly, the Indonesian Government response is, as yet, not very visible.

Today we have set up emergency response convoys to start sending medicine down to Bantul and also to Prambanan and Klaten which are badly damaged. Between us we put together 12 million rupiah or about $1500-1700 dollars. By we I mean the ACICIS students, along with other international students here. We have put together a letter which i have attached to this post with account details should you wish to donate some money. Rest assured every single cent will go toward helping people, as our only interest in asking for this money is to help the community that has been so generous with us while we have lived here.

I just got back from the hospital and donating blood. They are in desperate need of blood. Circumstances at the hospital are mixed. There are people in the corridors and walkways, but all seem to have water and food and none seemed to be in pain. It was surprisingly clean, and people are calm.

As for the rest of Yogya, people are getting back to normal. Shops are open, and in my area at least, there is hardly any damage. And of course, I have my exams starting tomorrow. Though I am not sure what standard our teachers are expectin given that all the international students are pretty much out in the field helping people.

Will try to upload some photo's and elaborate more on what has happened. Rest assured- I am fine, I am healthy, I am now able to go to sleep without leaving the door open and light on and my kos is a fortress where I feel very safe. Luv you all, miss you all. Please read the letter below.

Dear Friends and Family

As you would all already know, Yogyakarta and surrounding areas have been severely affected by a major earthquake early Saturday morning. Medical supplies, water and food are severely lacking in those villages which have still not been able to receive emergency assistance.

There are currently many emergency efforts being organized. If you have already donated thank you! – you have probably already saved some lives.

For those of you who would like to make a direct contribution now, we at ACICIS (Australian Consortium for In Country Indonesian Studies) in conjunction with other international students are currently coordinating an emergency response effort to organise direct relief to the most remote villages which are currently receiving little assistance. We are purchasing supplies that we think are most needed, based on information from those of us who have visited those areas, and advice from other contacts here.

At this stage, we believe supporting ACICIS directly is the most effective way to support our efforts because we have a committed team of young Australians on the ground, with language skills, knowledge, and local contacts. We are also coordinating our efforts with other groups and organizations.

ACICIS students are spending all the personal cash we currently have in our bank accounts, but are desperately in need of more. If you are in a position to donate funds, it would be greatly appreciated. A few Australian dollars can make a big difference.

The easiest way for us to get cash to buy medical and other emergency relief supplies is for you, our family and friends, to make transfers directly to our Resident Director’s account in Australia. This avoids unnecessary fees for transferring to foreign accounts, and avoids the confusion of receiving transfers to a number of different accounts. Phil King, the Resident Director, will be able to supply an account statement to show that all funds arriving into this account have been spent in the next few days.

The details of Phil’s account are as follows:

Philip King
Illawarra Mutual Building Society (IMB)
BSB: 641 800
Account No: 200171941

Keep in mind the time lag on bank transfers- at least one day, so please make the transfer as quickly as possible. We would appreciate if you could forward this email to those you think may want to help.

Yours faithfully
Adelle