The Bali Hotel Association (BHA) is working together with local organizations and private companies in the massive relief effort in connection with the devastating earthquake and tsunami which decimated North Sumatra and large areas throughout Southeast and South Asia.
The BHA has joined forces with a group established in the humanitarian response to the disaster, called “Indonesia Peduli” (Indonesia Cares) comprised of major corporations, such as Exxon Mobil, Unilever, General Electric, British American Tobacco and Asia Pulp and Paper. In the view of the BHA, this alliance has the resources and expertise on the ground to ensure that all relief materials are dispatched directly into Aceh. The group is also actively vetting the NGO’s (non-governmental organization) operating in Aceh relief programs to which they provide funds.
In addition to cash donations and the proceeds of various fund-raising activities, including spontaneous auctions held during New Year’s Dinners at Bali hotels, the BHA has also spearheaded the donation of linens and useable clothing and food dispatched to Aceh in the first 48 hours immediately following the disaster. Association members have been raising cash support through staff donations, guest donations and company donations.
Rapid Response
BHA sent its first sent its first wave of relief supplies to North Sumatra on New Year’s eve.
• Seven cubic meters of medical supplies and ready-to-consume food were sent by air to Jakarta, in cooperation with Continental Airlines, Garuda Indonesia and Aerowisata Catering Services. These goods have entered the Red Cross supply chain.
• As the result of BHA coordinated donations, Rp 125 million (approximately US$13,200) of ready-to-consume foods were purchased and loaded directly onto Indonesian naval vessels departing from Jakarta to Sumatra on New Year’s Days.
• Two 20-foot containers containing 1,000 boxes of donated goods—clothing, blankets, sheets, pillows, shoes, and food—began the 40-hour journey overland from Bali to Jakarta, sponsored by Santa Fe Relocations. This shipment of Aceh relief cargo form Bali is expected to join Tuesday’s, January 4th naval transport dispatch to Aceh.
Collection efforts got underway within just 24 hours of the natural disaster and in the short span of only 3 days, five warehouses were filled. These contributions came from BHA’s 63 members hotels, hotel staff, hotel guests, travel agencies, private companies and private individuals across Bali. Local companies in Bali – Dijon and Ombak Putih coordinated a central collection point for businesses and the general public, merging these contributions into the BHA supply system.
The BHA has promised a complete auditing of all funds entrusted to them for disaster relief and will publish a list of all donations received on the association’s website.
Those wishing to support the “Indonesia Peduli” drive can make bank transfers to:
