Indonesia
Together for people and the environment

Donate for Indonesia

Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions: due to its geographical location, Indonesia is repeatedly hit by natural disasters. On the island of Sulawesi, we regularly provide emergency aid to those affected in the event of a disaster. In addition, we have created prospects for the local people with our plastic waste project and at the same time promoted environmental protection.

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Table of contents

What is the situation like in Indonesia?

Tsunamis and plastic pollution

Due to the special geographical location on the Pacific ring of fire, the earth in Indonesia quakes almost daily. Many of the earthquakes are hardly noticeable for humans. However, there are always catastrophic exceptions, usually followed by devastating tsunamis.

This was the case on September 28, 2018, when our project region Sulawesi was shaken by an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4. More than 4,000 people lost their lives in the catastrophe, another 211,000 became homeless.

In addition to the constant natural disasters, the island state faces another problem: plastic pollution. After China, Indonesia ranks second on the list of the largest producers of plastic waste. Plastic waste is not recycled, but ends up in huge dumps.

However, plastic does not rot, it only breaks down into small pieces - microplastics. Due to the lack of recycling systems and the floods of the tsunamis, plastic ends up in the sea and causes great damage. Every year in Indonesia about 3.22 million tons of plastic waste are disposed of uncontrolled, of which about one third ends up in the oceans.

How is Help providing support in Indonesia?

Donate for Indonesia: Mobile Clinic in Sulawesi — The "Mobile Clinic" has cared for a total of around 1,500 people.

Emergency aid after natural disaster

In the event of a disaster, fast help is needed. To ensure that we can respond quickly and appropriately in the event of an earthquake or tsunami, we work closely with our long-standing partner organisation on the island of Sulawesi. Together, we distribute relief supplies and provide psychological and medical aid, for example after Cyclone Seroja in April 2021.

In 2018, the island of Sulawesi was shaken by several earthquakes and a tsunami. Help was also immediately on the scene at that time and subsequently became particularly involved in strengthening hygiene and health care.

Donate for Indonesia: Plastic banks in Sulawesi — At the waste banks people can exchange collected plastic waste and get information about plastic alternatives.

Donors and partners: IBU Foundation, ADH (Aktion Deutschland Hilft)

Stop the plastic flood: From waste collection to recycling

When the floods receded after the 2018 tsunami, the plastic problem in Sulawesi became even more apparent than before. Plastic carpets spread across the landscape, and the region's waste system was also destroyed. As many people had lost not only their homes but also their jobs, Help and the local partner organisation developed a holistic strategy to help people and the environment at the same time.

We founded eight so-called "Bank Sampah", i.e. waste banks where people can exchange their plastic waste for a small amount of money. The waste is then resold or recycled directly. Over 3 tonnes of plastic waste and over 3 tonnes of other waste (e.g. paper) have already been collected through the waste banks. In addition, 104 jobs have been created, thanks to which people now have a regular income.

In addition, we have sensitised the public, especially schools, to plastic pollution and informed them about recycling measures and plastic alternatives, for example bamboo drinking straws or cloth bags. We worked together with local school and environmental authorities and were able to inform over 5,000 children at 16 schools about the plastic problem. We reached around 1.5 million people in Indonesia through online campaigns.

+++ Help has not been running any projects in Indonesia since October 2022 +++

Pictures and Videos

Eine Ärztin untersucht eine schwangere Frau in Indonesien

Wo vor dem Tsunami 2018 in Indonesien viele Häuser standen, lag nach der Katastrophe nur Schutt und Asche

Eine vom Erdbeben zerstörte Straße in Indonesien

Spenden Indonesien: Plastikmüll reduzieren

Eine indonesische Frau sitzt zwischen Bergen aus Plastikmüll auf der Suche nach verwertbaren Stoffen

Spenden Indonesien: Zusammenarbeit mit Behörden

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Facts and Figures

Figures about Indonesia

In 2020, the earth shook more than 8,000 times in Indonesia, but most of the earthquakes were not felt.
Over 211,000 people lost their homes in the 2018 earthquake and tsunami.
The September 2018 earthquake and tsunami killed 4,340 people and injured over 14,000.
Around 3.22 million tonnes of plastic waste are disposed of uncontrollably every year, polluting the environment.
In the city of Palu on Sulawesi alone, more than 9 tonnes of plastic waste are produced every year.

Facts about Help in Indonesia

202 families were provided with emergency aid packages after the tsunami
Through the mobile clinic, 1,495 people received access to health care
After the tsunami, we provided hygiene education in 17 schools
More than 5,000 school children at 16 schools were informed about plastic pollution and recycling measures
213 children were trained as "Agents of Change" and sensitised their classmates, friends and families about the dangers of plastic
Around 1.5 million people were made aware of the plastic problem through the online campaign
26 local restaurants, cafés and shops have reduced the use of plastic straws and bags