Image: Donations arriving in North Lombok. Credit: Earthquake Relief Updates
Bounty Cruise and Patagonia Express will deliver donations from tourism businessmen, organizations, State Owned Enterprises (BUMN), and communities to the three Gili islands (Gili Terawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno) today. They will deliver approximately 60 tons of donations which will be distributed to Lombok earthquake victims there.
Bounty Cruise owner, I Gde Wiratha, said that the Lombok earthquakes have affected many people. According to him, Bali, which can’t be separated from Lombok and its Gili Islands, must help the earthquake victims. “We must pay attention to Lombok earthquake victims at the moment. We must think of a way to prevent any looting of the victims’ belongings on the three Gilis,” he said to balipost.com.
He reminded everyone to help the earthquake victims, because there are many people who need food and clothes there. “I advise everyone, not just tourism businessmen, to help them. SMEs could also help them. We must prove to the world that we can handle this,” he said. He also asked for help from neighboring countries, especially with medical supplies, clothes and foods. “These donations have nothing to do with the politics. We do this purely for humanity reasons,” he added.
He also said that Bounty Cruise and Patagonia have delivered donations six times. Wiratha, who also serves as the member of Bali Tourism Alliance Advisory Board (AMPB), said that his side will keep delivering donations to Lombok with more schedules announced soon.
“Patagonia will also operate the Lombok route again soon to help normalize business there,” he concluded.
