Baptist World Alliance, BWA News Release

Baptists responding to Lombok earthquakes

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JAKARTA, Indonesia — Earthquakes that shook the Indonesian island of Lombok over the past week have resulted in at least 430 deaths, and the government is estimating economic losses in excess of several hundred million dollars.

Asia Pacific Baptist Aid (APBAid) is working with Baptist churches in Indonesia that are joining with other nonprofits to assess the needs and provide support to those who are affected by the quakes. Transform Aid International of Australia is also coordinating Baptist groups responding to the situation.

Gifts to support the relief efforts may be given through Baptist World Aid (BWAid) at bwanet.org. (Please note “Disaster response” in the comment section of the form.)

Damage to homes, infrastructure, and other property is estimated to be at least $342 million USD. The magnitude 6.9 quake flattened thousands of homes. “The damage and losses are very large,” a disaster agency spokesman told CBS News.

APBAid reports that the central government has deployed clean drinking water, ready-to-eat food, tents, and medical teams and medicine.

BWAid is a ministry of the Baptist World Alliance. It works with Baptist bodies throughout the world in connecting resources with relief and development needs.

The Baptist World Alliance, founded in 1905, is a fellowship of 266 conventions and unions in 134 countries and territories comprising 51 million baptized believers in 178,000 churches. For more than 100 years, the Baptist World Alliance has networked the Baptist family to impact the world for Christ with a commitment to strengthen worship, fellowship and unity; lead in mission and evangelism; respond to people in need through aid, relief, and community development; defend religious freedom, human rights, and justice; and advance theological reflection and leadership development.