Friday, June 30, 2006
Indonesian churches pick up pieces after earthquake
Our prayers are with worshipers in churches in the area of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, whose churches, homes, and lives were ravaged by a May 27 earthquake. From the Reformed Ecumenical Council:
Yogyakarta – On May 27, a massive earthquake just south of the city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia killed more than 6,000 people, injured at least 30,000 and destroyed more than 100,000 homes. While there was some damage in the city of Yogyakarta itself, the damage was much greater to the south and east, in the towns of Bantul and Klaten. Medical facilities were stretched beyond capacity, electricity and telephone were down, and people were short of food and water for several days.
Congregations of the Javanese Christian Churches (GKJ) in the area were badly damaged. In the Klaten area, a little to the west of Yogyakarta, eight church buildings were destroyed, eighteen church members died, 73 suffered wounds, and more than 700 houses were destroyed or heavily damaged. In the area around Bantul, to the south where the earthquake was centered, reports were much less complete, but at the time of this printing, 32 were reported dead, 50 wounded, and nine church buildings were destroyed. The count of homes damaged was impossible to determine, with several districts only reporting that 90% or more of all homes were destroyed.
The airport at Yogyakarta was opened again on May 30, and international aid began arriving. Other teams already in the country in response to the tsunami 17 months ago were able to deliver some emergency supplies. International church organizations joined the efforts, and teams from the GKJ itself helped in organizing the flow of help.
The Christian Church of Indonesia (GKI) also has many congregations in the area, and had a relief team already in the area helping displaced persons who were moving away from Mt. Merapi, a volcano threatening to erupt. After the earthquake, the activity in the volcano also increased dramatically. GKI teams began working on the day of the earthquake, and assembled about 1,200 volunteers from nearby parishes. The church provided meals in Bantul, and sent hundreds of tents to affected areas. Medical teams from church-affiliated universities in Jakarta and Bandung also came soon after the earthquake.
On a more personal note for many readers of this newsletter, a former President of the REC, Kadarmanto Hardjowasito, lost a relative, a young cousin, 10 years old, in the earthquake. The REC extends its sympathy to Kadarmanto and his family, as well as to all those who have suffered in this tragedy
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