The Carrefour International Foundation responded to an appeal for international aid, in collaboration with local teams from Carrefour Indonesia. After identifying the needs of the victims, the Carrefour International Foundation immediately decided to give the equivalent of €100,000 to transport food and health products, and to provide shelter for 200,000 people made homeless by the earthquake, as quickly as possible.
The teams at Carrefour’s Yogyakarta store felt the first tremors on Saturday morning at 6.55. Although the building was damaged, it protected the staff members present that morning.
The store was closed in order to ensure the safety of the staff on duty, and a local crisis unit was formed immediately. As early as Sunday morning, Jean-Paul Denoix, the aid coordinator, along with local teams, had put together five truckloads of basic supplies, including water, oil, milk, pasta, toilet paper and sanitary products. As of Monday 29 May, 1,500 tents had already been given out to provide shelter to those worst affected. About 20 families of employees were directly affected, and Carrefour Indonesia will ensure that they receive the aid they require.
We regret to say that two Indonesian employees were found dead after the earthquake. Carrefour extends its sincere condolences to their families and colleagues.
The city and surrounding region remained in a state of alert, and scientists are monitoring the status of Merapi, an increasingly volatile volcano located just a few kilometres from the epicentre of the earthquake.
Following a request from Mr. Benjamin Michel from the Humanitarian Action Delegation of the French Foreign Ministry, the Foundation also helped send 5 tonnes of non-perishable food products to the region. The aeroplane left from Watry airport (a few kilometres from Reims, France) and arrived at an airport located near the earthquake zone. Thanks to the efforts of the teams under Jean Noël Bironneau, Director of Carrefour Indonesia, all aid was received and distributed to affected populations.