CWS News

Bogor - Puri Avia hall is packed with people wearing a t-shirt with a message "Getting to Zero". The message on the t-shirt is the 2011 WAD theme, which translates into three goals expected to be achieved by 2015: zero new HIV infection, zero AIDS-related death, and zero discrimination.

Cipayung - Millions of women throughout the world have become victims of many kinds of violence such as domestic violence, rape, sexual harassment, torture and abuse of women prisoners, or violence in armed conflict that often lead to trauma, physical handicapped, and even death. In war and conflict, women and girls are the most vulnerable groups; they can be victims of rape that is used by soldiers as a weapon of war to subjugate a community. At home, they often deal with physically aggressive partner or relatives. In many communities, issues pertaining to family life are considered private and beyond public authorities' purview. Should dispute and disturbances arise, they would be best kept within the family. To seek outside help would be an act of disobedience. Those seeking protection therefore are often offered no alternative but to return to the abuser and continue being victimized.

Two major eruptions occurred on Thursday night, July 15, 2011 have caused significant increase on number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in North Tomohon Sub-district. The volcanic materials went up north of Tomohon District, away from the residential areas and have burnt down the forest near the volcano.

North Sulawesi’s volcano, Mt. Soputan, which is located on Southeast Minahasa District, erupted on July 3rd, 2011 spewing ashes and smokes 5000 meters into the air. Official had established an eight-kilometers radius exclusion zone. No evacuation instruction had been issued as the nearest residents live about 8 km from the volcano. However, many flights to and from Manado were cancelled and some regional airports were closed due to the ash clouds. The volcano has showed no further eruption pattern but officials are still monitoring its activity.

“Because of hope our life continues. If life gives us a hundred reasons to cry, we hope we have a thousand reasons to smile. If we want to have a better life, our hope will bring us there. One refugee without hope is too many.” This message was read by refugee representatives of five communities: Arabic, Afghani, Sri Lankan, Chinese, and Somali in their language; it was also read in Bahasa Indonesia and English on 2011 World Refugee Day commemoration hosted by Church World Service.

At the end of this month, crisis phase in Mentawai Islands should end. It has been five months after the earthquakes and tsunamis that hit Mentawai Islands, West Sumatra on October 25, 2010. However, the survivors are still living in a poor condition in emergency shelters and lack of basic infrastructure such as sanitation and clean water facilities.

Tsunamis struck Mentawai Islands of West Sumatra following the 7.7 R.S. earthquake on October 25, 2010.  It has claimed over 500 lives and displaced thousands of families both in Pagai Selatan and Pagai Utara Islands. Emergency phase begun on October 26 and continued for 28 days. The government, private sectors, and civil society have been working hand in hand conducting relief efforts while facing inclement weather and a lack of infrastructures and transportations.

Life in the humanitarian world has always entailed risks, though the nature of those risks has perhaps shifted over the past two decades.  In recent times, humanitarian workers have been routinely targeted often as a result of a misperception of the aims of their organizations, making important work, often undertaken in precarious conditions, even more hazardous. Aid agencies and their staff have been victims of kidnapping, armed robberies, carjacking and murder and the development workers are seen as an easy target. Moreover, due to unstable political and economic situations, the working and living conditions continue to deteriorate for all in the region.

By Bonnie K. Carenen and Ilmi Suminar

Living conditions are very difficult for the 1,200 families living in the IDP camps after the October 25, 2010 earthquake and tsunami in the Mentawai Islands. Families who are living in tents during the rainy season are surrounded by sticky mud, the noise of people living too close together, the smoky smells of food cooking and trash burning, and the sound of trees being cut down by chain saw and machete as they try to rebuild their lives by building a place to live.

By Bonnie K. Carenen

Communities living in the Mentawai Islands lack of information and infrastructure for  proper hygiene and sanitation. The communities, which experienced earthquakes and tsunami on October 25, 2010 are especially vulnerable to waterborne diseases like diarrhea.