Since the first 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck off Lombok, Indonesia on 29 July, four further earthquakes and multiple aftershocks have occurred, the largest coming on 5 August. On 28 September, Central Sulawesi was struck by a series of earthquakes that triggered a powerful tsunami. Indonesian Red Cross staff and volunteers, supported by IFRC and other Movement partners, have been in action from the start. The current focus is on health care, the distribution of relief supplies, clean water and food, psychosocial support, community engagement and reuniting families. On 1 October, IFRC issued a revised emergency appeal, seeking 22 million Swiss francs for the operation in both locations. The appeal is currently 70 per cent funded.

On 6 November 2018, IFRC Secretary General Elhadj As Sy will visit Palu, Central Sulawesi. The programme includes a stop at one of three liquefaction sites, a visit to the Balaroa camp for internally displaced people, run by the Indonesian Red Cross, an aerial tour of the damaged areas, and potentially a stop at the Red Cross field clinic in Sirenja. On 7 and 8 November 2018, Mr Sy will travel to Lombok where he will visit villages and meet families affected by the earthquakes. He will also take in response activities being implemented by teams of Indonesian Red Cross volunteers.