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First apologies to everyone who has sent through letters of support and requests for new information, offers to help that we haven't managed to back to just yet. We will soon, as you can imagine things have been very busy, and some of us (including myself) needed to take a break and reflect on all the new developments, get more organized and gather some new energy for the work that still needs to be done.

This is a quote from one of the hundreds of letter that we have been receiving every day, that synopsis our heart felt feelings:

"There have been many letters to newspapers here and newspaper editorials saying that we must help the Balinese, so hopefully some big appeal will get off the ground in Australia (and worldwide). It would be wonderful if something really good could come from this suffering. I think maybe this would be one way to counter terrorism, if a terror attack happens people of the world could respond with love and compassion."

UPDATES FROM THE FIELD

There are still many local people in need of help, and more being identified all the time.

The Indonesian Red Cross arrived yesterday from Jakarta, and are now doing a needs assessment around all the work that has been done to date, and support systems that have been established on the ground and preparing their team for action.

Several volunteer support groups are still working hard on the ground to get the victims of the tragedy the support that they need. Medicine, food, counseling and support are pouring from supporters from throughout Indonesia and worldwide. And the local hospital's staff have done a heroic job of trying to deal with a calamity of proportions they have never been faced with before.

Dr. Debbie, a female Balinese doctor who has been working for medical and relief aid in Bali for many years is now preparing a team of fresh local volunteers to assist with the challenging process of defining the missing persons families and getting them the help that they need. She is currently preparing her team and they will be on the ground soon.

Their work will include DNA blood sampling of missing peoples families which will be used to first cross check against the forensics teams data from the morgue. Those without matches will be cared by specially trained Indonesian first aid and grief counseling teams. Other services will also be put in place by this team as specific needs are identified, we'll keep you posted as things develop.

Romo Sandiyawan and his dedicated team of Indonesian volunteers at JRKB are still working day and night to get people the help that they need, now they are also addressing the need of setting up a media team down there on the ground to deal with the many reporters and false reports that have been filtering through to the press.

A meeting is being held today that will bring together representatives of the many groups on Bali that have been working to help with the situation down in Denpasar. They will discuss what has happened to date, and start looking at strategies for the next stage of work that needs to be done. Once they have defined a strategic plan we will let everyone know.

The media team established up in Ubud at the offices supplied by the Bali Hati Foundation is working on articles, and compiling the huge amount of information that has been gathered to date. Thanks to everyone who has been helping us to keep track of important updates on what is happening out there in the field in Denpasar, as well as the friends that are on "media watch" and informing us on what is being heard by the international community so that we can respond.

Prayer Groups, Vigils, and gatherings of friend to share grief and hope for the future are being held, and organized by several groups throughout Bali and worldwide. One of the events planned for this evening in the Ubud area is: "SOLIDARITY FOR HUMANITY", Saturday, October 19th, Time: 7.00 pm Place: Pondok Pekak Library, East Side of the Football Field. Ubud. Please come.

You can also help by sending this information as soon as possible to other people you know who may be willing to contribute.

How can people donate money? To give U.S. tax deductible donations to the relief effort in Bali, please send your checks to:

Bali Hati Foundation
c/o Mr. Max Lloyd
401 El Caminito, Carmel Valley, CA 93924

Please make checks payable to "Bali Hati Foundation". A receipt for your donation will be mailed to you. Bali Hati Foundation is legally registered in the US under the umbrella of The National Heritage Foundation.

*NOTE: We would like to set up a similar account in the UK, Canada and
Australia. If anyone has a suggestion of a charitable foundation that would provide this service for the Bali Relief Fund, please communicate directly with: casalunafund@yahoo.com

In Bali, donations can be sent from anywhere via bank transfer to:

BANK BALI CAB. UBUD, GIANYAR, INDONESIA
Account Name: Ketut Sua Ananda, Bali Ubud Disaster Relief (BUDR)
Account Number: 5801257420
Swift Code: BBBAIDJA

In Bali, cash donations can also be given directly to volunteers at Casa
Luna Restaurant on Jalan Raya in Ubud, or to Dewata Scooter Club volunteers.
Receipts are provided, along with later acknowledgment in the Bali Post
newspaper.

This information can also be found on the following websites:
www.casalunabali.com/relief ; www.balisos.com

Please call Casa Luna's hotline at 973-283, or email
casalunafund@yahoo.com if you have any questions.

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