THOUSANDS of people who have had their lives devastated by the deadly earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia will be given urgently needed shelter and clean water, thanks to a grant from the Freemasons, including those in Herefordshire.
The £70,000 grant from Freemasons nationally will be split evenly between Plan International UK and the Red Cross. Plan will be able to provide shelter kits to 593 families (2,610 people), while the Red Cross will be helping 160,000 people with safe water and improved sanitation.
The current death toll stands at more than 2,000, with over 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.
The grant comes through the Masonic Charitable Foundation, which is funded by Freemasons, their families and friends, from across England and Wales.
The Rev'd David Bowen, Provincial Grand Laster for the Masonic Province of Herefordshire, said: "This is a terrible time for the people of Indonesia, and I am very pleased that Herefordshire Freemasons have been able to help the Masonic community across the country 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".
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here