6 Ways on How to Help Bali during the Pandemic

There is no doubt that Bali has a special place in our hearts. Bali welcomes around 1.2 million Aussies each year- it is truly well-loved by Aussies because of its beautiful nature, the surf, the Balinese culture, and the incredible people that make us feel home and welcome when we visit.

70% of the Bali population relies on tourism for a living, and so this particular time proves to be incredibly challenging. Without tourists, many locals are left without jobs, and are struggling to make ends meet.

We rounded up some initiatives to help and support Balinese families in need during these trying times. 

Crisis Kitchen is an initiative started by an Aussie, Brad Downes, who owns a cafe in Seminyak. It is focused on distributing food to the people of Bali, and they do this by working with local communities and partners to get essential items to those most in need.

Project Nasi is another initiative that helps provide food and supplies to locals. They supply  bare essentials  like nasi (rice), mie (noodles), cooking oil, basic cooking condiments, fresh local fruit and vegetables, drinking water, water filters, soap, sanitiser, face masks, gloves to Balinese in desperate need of supplies during these times. 

Team Action Amed is focused on providing care packages consisting of 5KG of rice, a dozen eggs,  bars of Lifebuoy Soap and cooking oil for families in East Bali. The packages are only for just $10AUD, and would be enough for 1 family to last them a week. 

Based in Ubud, Kopernik is a not-for-profit organisation currently working through the pandemic by supporting prevention, improving emergency response and supporting livelihoods. Some of their initiatives include educational campaigns, soap distribution and hand sanitiser production and distribution for the local communities. They also are supplying personal protective equipment for medical frontliners, and are also giving support to farmers who have lost access to their markets by connecting them with access to buyers.

In response to the evolution of the COVID-19 outbreak, Kawan Baik Indonesia Foundation and Fair Future Foundation are taking basic level action to help local communities who are impacted on their health and on the socio-economic level. They are providing free food, hygiene kits and information for the population affected.

Sea Circus is a famous restaurant in Seminyak owned by Australian restaurateur Josh Herdman. Though the cafe is currently closed, Josh and his staff are working double-time to provide food to the local Balinese people. The Food Fund aims to donate around 500–3,000+ food packages a day. They are focused on providing nutritional food and Indonesian favourites such as Nasi Ayam, Nasi Campur Ikan, Nasi Campur Sayur & Nasi Campur Telur to families in need.

A little help during these times goes a long way. There is no doubt that we'll get through these difficult times- in the meantime, let us all stay healthy and keep looking after one another.