Several countries within the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific have been experiencing difficult challenges recently and in the past months. They highlight the importance of coming together urgently to address these challenges.
Crisis in Myanmar
The situation in Myanmar is getting worse. The people continue to suffer from escalating violence. Internet connectivity has been restricted, which has negatively affected businesses and limited people’s access to vital medical information in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Many people in Myanmar have lost their income and cannot access basic needs. They are living in insecurity, like sheep without a shepherd. Many of them are crossing the border to Thailand, India, and other neighboring countries seeking refuge. Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) – Asia Pacific, its networks in Thailand, and JRS Myanmar are responding to people in need with their limited resources and access. We are already anticipating a refugee crisis. Jesuits and companions in the conference continue to pray for Myanmar.
Flash floods, tropical cyclone, landslides, and the Covid-19 pandemic
In addition to the crisis in Myanmar, some countries in our conference have been experiencing calamities. Tropical cyclone Seroja hit Nusa Tenggara Timur (NTT) province of Indonesia, and neighbouring Timor-Leste on Easter Sunday. According to Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency, the flashfloods and landslides that resulted from the heavy rains left 163 people dead and 45 people missing as of 9 April. A total of 129 people were injured and 20,929 people were displaced, in addition to thousands of houses damaged, 40 road access hampered by fallen trees, five broken bridges, 87 public facilities affected, and one capsized ship.
In Timor-Leste, Tropical Cyclone Seroja caused devastating floods that damaged houses, roads, bridges, and killing at least 42 people across the country. It has also been reported that few people are still missing. Hundreds of families lost their homes and belongings and most had to be evacuated in emergency shelters. As of 10 April, an estimated 14,000 people have been displaced. They are currently living in different evacuation camps and centres that include religious convents and parish halls. In one area in Manleu, 85 families had to be evacuated to keep them safe. In Hera, 75 homes near the river were washed away by the flood. Most homes in Tasi Tolu until today are still under water. Roads and bridges were also destroyed. Power lines were cut off for two days.
The country, furthermore, has experienced a surge in the number of Covid-19 cases. Before the flood, the government imposed a lockdown in Dili to help contain the pandemic. Food transport and supplies were limited, which has caused many people inside and outside the city to experience hunger.
The Covid-19 pandemic crisis continues to be a tough challenge for the developing countries in the conference, especially the Philippines, Indonesia, and recently Cambodia. In the last few weeks there has been an increase in the number of new cases in the Philippines and Cambodia that lockdowns have once again commenced in many places. The negative impact is greatest among the poorest and most vulnerable.
Jesuit response
SPM Realino, the social service arm of the Indonesian Jesuit Province, has been raising funds and in kind donations to help people in Adonara, the most affected area in NTT. The donations will be distributed through the local diocese of Larantuka, one of the most affected dioceses. Lembaga Daya Dharma, the social service institution of the Archdiocese of Jakarta managed by a Jesuit, is also collecting donations in close collaboration with National Caritas (KARINA – Caritas Indonesia) and the affected local Caritas (Atambua, Larantuka, Weetabula) in NTT.
Jesuit Social Service – Timor Leste (JSS-TL) is doing its part to help feed the hungry and the poor who are most affected by the typhoon and lockdown. JSS-TL is providing clothes, mattresses, kitchen utensils and equipment, and food items, such as rice, milk, noodles, cooking oil, and soups to different evacuation camps.
As we experience these humanitarian disasters, we continue to support and pray for each other, while discerning how God is calling us to best respond to the situation.
Fr Adrianus Suyadi SJ is the Secretary for Social Ministries of the Jesuit Conference of Asia Pacific.