Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Jakarta (Fides Service) - The earthquake disaster in Pakistan must not make people forget the victims of the December 2004 tsunami, say Indonesian volunteers working to assist seaquake victims.
One of the most active organisations is Jesuit Refugee Service JFS which provides food aid for internally displaced persons in Aceh still living in tents and other temporary shelters.
JFS has urged the international community not to forget the victims of the terrible tsunami last year. “Many people still need food aid, especially those living in huts and tents or those with little access to aid. The most vulnerable are the elderly, widows and children. It is important to identify those in need while avoiding installing dependence and also to encourage people and help them become once again self-supporting”.
The Jesuit Reugees Service cares for refugees displaced by years of conflict in Aceh, ended with an agreement signed recently by rebels and government.
Observers say food support for tsunami victims is insufficient and the international community needs to improve the programme. The first 10,000 permanent homes for tsunami survivors were completed on 7 October, another 12,000 are under construction.
The Rome based United Nations World Food Programme has called a meeting in Rome 7 November to discuss the situation and distribution of emergency food aid in Aceh all through 2006. Kuntoro Mangkusubroto head of the agency for reconstruction and resettling in Aceh, spoke of the difficulties encountered in passing from a stage of emergency to the stage of rebuilding.
In Aceh, about 170,000 people died or were displaced in the earthquake and the tsunami. In the 12 countries of the Ocean Indian over 232,000 people were killed. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 2510/2005 righe 27 parole 289)
