General Situation

The earthquake (begins on 26 December 2004) destroys Aceh, North Sumatera and the islands surrounding both provinces. Until today (30 December 2004), more than 36 thousand people lay dead as the result of the disaster, thousands of others are still report missing, and many others are wounded. Hundred of thousands lost their houses and belongings. By now they live in temporary tents or find refugee in saver places and to other cities (specially Medan, the capital city of North Sumatera) that still have public facility services.

After the disaster, other problems raise, problems that are more dangerous than the natural disaster itself. Thousands of corpse laid unburied, scattered around the cities and villages, and by now the stinking corpse are becoming a source of many diseases. The lack of clean water and proper houses also make the spread of diseases become easier. Other threatening danger is the lack of food and clean clothes for the people/refugees. If this bad condition of the environment is left without comprehensive care, it will soon take more toll than the toll of the earthquake and the tsunami.

The Aid and Solidarity

The sympathy and solidarity come -and still grow- from many parties, it is very difficult to distribute the aid to the very hand of the victims. The cause of all these are the problems in communication and transportation (because most of the facilities are damaged by the disaster). Besides, there is a specific difficulty related with the political situation of Aceh. By now, the Government of Indonesia is still declare Aceh as an area of civil emergency, they still controlling all things, and because of that, the governmental institutions and the armies are the only parties who could enter Aceh easily as they prefer. There is a signal of government and military monopoly on the distribution of logistic and medicines in Aceh, and the monopoly makes it difficult for the aids of the NGOs to enter the area of Aceh. The difficulty of distributing the aids until they reach the victims also caused by the lack of coordination between the many parties who involved in the solidarity for the victims.

Refugees

By now there are many refugees still coming to Medan, and forced to live in temporary tents. The services are mainly to provide foods and healthcare. Some of the wounded are already served by the hospitals, but still the capacity of the hospitals are limited.

Meanwhile, Aceh is still out of reach and difficult to enter. Other places, such as Nias, Sibolga and other small islands are still in need of help.

The Franciscans Family

JPIC-OFM Indonesia in Jakarta are trying to support the efforts made by the Franciscans Family in North Sumatera. Until now, the Capucin and the FSE sisters are working on their Crisis Centre in Medan and surrounding areas, while the JPIC-OFM Indonesia in Jakarta are helping them with raising funds, coordinating the volunteers and those who works on the field (individuals and institutions/NGOs). This Monday, our team will be leaving for Medan to support the efforts of the Franciscans Family in Medan, find access to Aceh, and to prepare for the arrival of the complete team of volunteers. Besides, we are still working on a long term advocation for the victims, and to handle the pasca-disaster situation comprehensively.

OFFICE FOR JUSTICE, PEACE AND INTEGRITY OF CREATION - INDONESIA