For many Australian’s watching the news can feel like an exercise in futility, we witness the devastating, human toll that natural disasters take on countries and civilians around the world, with a kind of detached helplessness.

Backpacker Medics is an entirely volunteer run and donation funded organisation which travels by foot providing first aid and supplies. This team, comprised of WA’s first responders and trauma specialists run their own operation, pay for their own flights and take leave from work to help people affected by natural disasters.

They’re currently in Sulawesi in a village on the east coast and volunteer Andrew Clark spoke with Jo McManus about the situation on the ground.

If you would like to donate you can do so here.

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