Relief and rescue operations continue to dispatch as the tragedy of the Indonesian earthquake and tsunami catastrophe continues to take a significant toll on the victims impacted by this tragedy. Time is, without a doubt, of the essence as rescue operations try to persevere in searching for survivors one week after the dual disasters struck Sulawesi Island.

According to the Indonesian National Board for the Disaster Management on Saturday, the death toll from the earthquake and tsunami has risen to approximately 1,649 people. More than 70,000 homes were destroyed or reduced to rubble by the significant magnitude of the 7.5 earthquake that struck on September 28, producing waves as high as six meters that burst into Sulawesi at 800 km/h.

Thousands of others were injured and over 70,000 people have been relocated to shelters and makeshift tents that have sprouted across Palu, the provincial capital that’s home to 380,000 people, and its surrounding areas. After days of initial chaos and looting by desperate survivors, some stability has returned to Palu, with shops slowly reopening and electricity being restored to some parts of the city.

An early tsunami warning was issued by the Indonesian meteorological agency but was later lifted after the agency found that the water had receded. Fortunately, Indonesian President Joko Widodo has the military assisting during the disaster’s aftermath in order to help search and rescue teams get more of a fighting chance in finding victims and bodies.

Until the crisis is fully handled, those knowledgeable of this tragic event should consider donating in order to alleviate victims’ suffering. Sending money to nonprofit organizations and charities who are trying to bring relief to the island could help them provide more goods like food and water that could be helpful to the survivors of Sulawesi.