Lincolnshire Freemasons help after deadly earthquake and tsunami hits Indonesia
Lincolnshire Freemasons have helped the Masonic Charitable Foundation to send aid to thousands of people who have had their lives devastated by the deadly earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia.
A grant of £70,000 from the MCF will be split evenly between Plan International UK and the Red Cross. Plan will use it to provide shelter kits to almost 600 families, while the Red Cross will be helping 160,000 people with safe water and improved sanitation. More than 2,000 people have died and 5,000 people are still missing
The death toll currently stands at more than 2,000, with at least 5,000 people listed as missing. As many as 1.5 million have been affected, with many having lost homes and many more living without power, clean water or medical provision.
David Wheeler, Provincial Grand Master of Lincolnshire, and therefore its most senior Freemason, said: “This is a terrible time for the people of Indonesia, and I am very pleased that the Masonic community has been able to move fast and provide Plan International and the Red Cross with funds to provide life-saving shelter and clean water to many thousands of people in need.”
Alan Gosschalk, Fundraising Director of Plan International UK, said: "We are incredibly grateful to the Freemasons for providing this grant to help those whose lives have been turned upside down by the earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia.
“People urgently need clean water, shelter and food and our team is responding by distributing shelter kits, blankets and tarpaulins to the affected communities.”
Ben Webster, British Red Cross Head of Emergencies, said: “I would like to thank the Freemasons for their generous grant of £35,000 to the Indonesian Earthquake and Tsunami Appeal, which will go towards helping 160,000 people with safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene kits alongside other essential aspects of the Red Cross response."
