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The recent string of disaster in Indonesia, which includes flash flood in Wasior, Papua, the earthquake and tsunami in Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra, and the series of eruption in Mount Merapi, Yogyakarta, have caused sympathy from the public in Indonesia as well as the world.
Indofood immediately coordinated with its branches in Pekanbaru, led by Mr. Udin Chen, and in Semarang, led by Mr. Abdurachmat, to set up an emergency tent called Posko Indofood Peduli. The makeshift tents are spread in several locations in Mentawai Islands and Mount Merapi. As for Wasior, Mr. Eko, Area Sales Promotion Manager in Papua, immediately worked together with local administration in handing over the aids for the victims.
Wasior
On October 4th, Wasior was hit by a flash flood that killed at least 110 people and forced thousands to flee their homes.
Indofood donated its instant noodles product, carried by sea transportation. Due to technical consideration, the aids were handed over straight to the local administration in Papua to be distributed to the refugees.
Mentawai
Even though the earthquake and tsunami hit Mentawai Islands on October 26, 2010, the team from Indofood did not arrive in North Pagai and set up an emergency tent until the 29th , due to the terrible weather and lack of transportation access. However, Posko Indofood Peduli was the first to offer foods to the victims and volunteers in the island.
Up to the present, the Indofood Peduli team is still trying to cross to South Pagai, reportedly the worst-hit area, to serve the victims and volunteers. The damaged communication system has been hampering the team to send any updated footage from Mentawai Islands.
Merapi
Contrary to Mentawai's difficult access and terrain, another Indofood Peduli team from Semarang could immediately set up an emergency tent in Merapi on October 27, one day after the mountain spew volcanic ash, forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes.
Up to the present, four emergency centers have been operating, each in Umbulharjo and Hargobinangun in Sleman District, as well as Dukun and Tanjung in Muntilan, Magelang District. Together, they have provided more than 20,000 bowls of instant noodle, Promina baby porridge, SUN biscuit for infants, and Indofood syrup.
Instant noodles are served three times a day at 6.00, 12.00, and 18.00, while baby foods and syrup are available almost for the whole day. Around 10 volunteers from Indofood work hand in hand each day to provide such foods for the victims, journalists, and social workers within the area. In one emergency center in Muntilan, the Indofood volunteers are assisted by local scouts aged 15 to 20, who tirelessly cook, serve, and make sure the refugees get what they need.
The National Disaster Management Agency BNPB) recorded at least 75,770 refugees are sheltered in Sleman District, Yogyakarta, and Magelang District, Central Java. As of November 4, authorities extended the minimum safety distance to 15 kilometers from 10 kilometers following the latest blast.
The mountain is still very active, spewing hot ash cloud and other volcanic materials, which fall as far as in Tasikmalaya, West Java.
Meanwhile, employees of Indofood also collected donation that will be forwarded to those affected by the disasters in the areas.
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