Wedi (AsiaNews) 1 June, 2006 – INDONESIA

by Mathias Hariyadi

Wedi, Gantiwarno and Bayat have been "totally forgotten" by rescue teams and by the solidarity of fellow citizens and the news media.

And yet, 2,000 people died in these three sub-districts of Klaten regency in the earthquake that struck the Indonesian island of Java on 27 May. To date, only a few rescue workers have gone there and survivors have complained about the indifference of their co-nationals. This was revealed by Fr Drajad Soesilo, a Jesuit from the parish of St Ignatius in Danan (Central Java), who went to these places as coordinator of a team of volunteers from the Compassion Group.

He said: "These three areas are among the most heavily devastated by the quake. The only food supplies these local residents could get during these last five days were four portions of noodles and 2 kilos of rice for each family. No government relief has arrived to these areas; the people have been completely forgotten even by their fellow citizens." The priest said when his group of volunteers went, the displaced people greeted them warmly and showed appreciation, "however, so far, we have only managed to take a few things like biscuits, instant noodles and some rice".

Compassion Group also donated some tents, kitchen utensils, and oil lamps to the displaced people, "who are still sleeping in cemeteries, rice-fields, cow pens and chicken coops".