This year, please don't forget  an annual contribution to the NTA!

Dear NTA Supporters,

The “NTA End Of Year Appeal” aims to raise $10 000 to help poor farming communities in eastern Indonesia. Our immediate aim is to help communities impacted by the recent volcano eruption in Flores.

Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki began erupting on 3rd November and has killed at least 10 people, destroyed houses and farming land and is displacing many thousands of people. The smoke and ash from this volcano shut down all the airports on Flores and disrupted flights into Bali. This volcano is located close to NTA implementation sites and directly impacts on NTA supported families.

Some 1600 people have been relocated from around the Volcano to the neighbouring Sikka District – one of the main NTA implementation areas. Most of these people will be moving in with extended families including families within the NTA communities.

Urgent needs

There has been an immediate impact in NTA supported communities. Volcanic ash has blanketed the crops and broader region and contaminated water supplies. There is an urgent need for face masks to reduce respiratory problems, and water filters to provide clean water for drinking and cooking purposes. NTA aims to source and distribute these products as quickly as possible to ensure basic health and hygiene is maintained.

The next 2 months

Over the next few months there will be further challenges. Without a good rain in the near future the ash will likely smother and kill most of the current crops. Families will have to act quickly to plant new crops or raise alternative income. NTA is monitoring this situation through our team on the ground to respond as necessary to support our farmer groups. There will be heavy demands on community health facilities and there may be associated reduction in school attendances. 

What next

The Government is assisting displaced families with funds to build new houses but they will need to grow crops and produce incomes. NTA continues to closely monitor the situation and to identify issues and needs. NTA actively engages community groups in planning and implementing its activities. As the full extent of the impact evolves NTA will be there to help.