Kilcar native devastated by Lombok earthquake co-ordinates relief effort

Donna Gallagher from Kilcar had been living on the beautiful island of Gili Trawangan for 10 years before disaster struck on August 5th.

A severe earthquake measuring 7.0 hit Lombok and the Gili Islands in Indonesia that Sunday evening, causing over 400 deaths and flattening thousands of homes.

Over 350,000 people have been displaced by the earthquake and people continue to suffer from a lack of food, medical supplies and essentials two weeks on.

Donna, her husband Edwin and their three year old son Finn suffered tremendous shock and trauma on that day. Their home was damaged and their businesses halted.

The family evacuated to Bali as aftershocks continued to destroy the islands and the death toll rose. Since then they have been appealing for funding and organising to get supplies to the people of north Lombok.

Donna and Edwin manage a new ‘Uber Scuba’ diving school on the beach of Gili Trawangan. Now, she said that 95% of their staff are homeless and currently struggling for supplies.

“We are working tirelessly in what way we can to help restore the lives of our friends and colleagues,” Donna said.

Donna told Donegal Daily: “I am currently co-ordinating the shopping for essential supplies here in Bali and getting it shipped across, as well as organizing funding appeals.

“I’ve lived in Gili Trawangan for over 10 years so I am well embedded in the community there.

“There is a strong Western business community and many people have raised thousands of Euro already. We have so far raised about €7,000 ourselves,” Donna said.

People in Lombok are in need of basic items such as tarpaulins, blankets, toiletries, food and medicines to prevent illness from spreading. Donna has shared details of a bank account (see below) to collect donations and buy more supplies to be sent directly to the affected areas.

Donna’s husband Edwin has returned to the island to deliver supplies to their staff who remained behind. 

Donna said: “The Government Aid and NGO help was slow coming to the north Lombok area but the business community of the Gili Islands reacted quickly and most of the various business have established funds for their staff and the North Lombok areas of Tanjung and Pemenang where most people we know live, and which were the worst hit areas.

“The island is now being cleaned up by those who dedicated themselves to staying, and there is hope within the business community that we can re-open for business on 1st September. It is vital for the local people we do this, as they need their jobs in order to survive long term.”

If you wish to donate to Donna’s efforts, find the details below:

“If you would like to help us continue with this vital humanitarian aid, you can do so by transferring to the following account. The cheapest and easiest way for an international transfer is to use the website transferwise which incurs no costs.”

Bank Name: Mandiri

Swift code: BMRIIDJA

Name on Account: Donna Gallagher

Account Number: 1610000323746

My address on account:

Gili Trawangan Pamenang,

CV Blue Malin Lombok Utara, Pamenang, Tanjung, Mataram 83352.

Bank address on account:

KCP Mataram Cakranegara 16101. Lombok NTB, Indonesia

Please message Donna on Facebook here (click) if you would like to send to her Irish bank account.

Alternatively, Donna has recommended two GoFundMe sites for people to donate to online.

https://www.gofundme.com/lombok-earthquake-support

https://www.gofundme.com/earthquake-relief-for-lombok

Letterkenny woman Sophia Gallagher is a member of the Lombok Earthquake Support group, See the article below to read her story:

Donegal woman who survived Indonesian earthquake joins aid appeal