NT community gets behind East Timor, Indonesia flood victims with donation drives, fundraisers
TERRITORIANS are rallying behind their neighbours in flood-ravaged East Timor and Indonesia as several organisations lead a local effort to deliver food, clothes and other everyday necessities to the thousands in need of aid.
Northern Territory
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TERRITORIANS are rallying behind their neighbours in flood-ravaged East Timor and Indonesia as several organisations lead a local effort to deliver food, clothes and other everyday necessities to the thousands in need of aid.
More than 150 people have been killed and thousands displaced since flooding and landslides hit East Timor and eastern Indonesia on Sunday, causing widespread devastation.
The Portuguese & Timorese Social Club Inc – Darwin on Monday launched a major donation drive to help those affected in East Timor, calling for important everyday items including dry food, clothes, footwear, toiletries and nappies.
With Dili’s main airport flooded, the group is planning to send donations to the capital via ship early next week.
President Ana Bentes said the donated items would be sent to the Canossian Sisters’ convent in Dili, where nuns are caring for at least 500 people.
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“We’ve got an East Timorese nun here in Darwin who is part of that order, and she said they’re really struggling because people are coming in en masse and they have limited food,” she said.
“They’re feeding those 500 people, plus other people are showing up at the facility everyday … and the food is running out.”
Ms Bentes said people could drop off donations at the group’s Marrara clubhouse from 5-6pm any weekday this week.
She urged Territorians to donate anything they could.
“They’re our closest neighbours – they’re less than 40 minutes away by plane – and Australians have always helped their neighbours in times of need,” she said.
“At the moment they’re in need of our assistance and we can’t turn a blind eye to it. We’ve got to show a bit of compassion to our neighbours.
“Any donation is appreciated. People may have an item they think isn’t any good, but please consider donating it, because we need anything.”
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The Indonesian Diaspora Network NT is also organising a fundraiser to help flood victims in eastern Indonesia, and is expected to finalise details of that tonight.
President Dominicus Witono said the group’s members were worried about the situation in Indonesia and wanted to help.
“The situation is very bad,” he said.
Originally published as NT community gets behind East Timor, Indonesia flood victims with donation drives, fundraisers
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