The Tsunami tragedy of 26 December 2004 has killed thousands of people and has
destroyed livelihoods and sources of sustainable living on a massive scale.
The tragedy has left in its wake severe suffering for millions of people in
Aceh and North Sumatra, as well as in India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand,
Malaysia and other countries.
Solidaritas Perempuan (SP) fully supports the concern of many parties,
including governments, in delivering aid to those have died, those who have
been injured, and those who have lost everything. Concerted and systematic
efforts are desperately needed as many survivors face the risk of dying. They
are barely coping with injuries, sickness, and are exposed to the perils of
post-tsunami diseases. They are surviving under appalling living conditions,
with lack of clothes, food and clean water. Solidaritas Perempuan expresses
its appreciation to all the support and assistance rendered to the tsunami
victims.
However, Solidaritas Perempuan is of the view that the process of attending to
the victims has not been done in a way that pays attention to the needs of
women and children. Without discriminating and neglecting the needs of the
other groups, we have to stress that victims who are women and children
require special attention and merit specific care. This special consideration
can be explained in two ways. First, the process of discrimination already
experienced by women and children in their daily lives is also experienced by
them in the treatment provided to them as victims of the tsunami tragedy.
Second, women and children have certain vulnerabilities and have different
needs compared to adult male victims of this tragedy.
Unfortunately, these vulnerabilities and differences in needs are often
overlooked in the process of attending to victims. Women and children victims
are treated the same as the male victims, causing unfairness to the women and
children.
Considering the above, Solidaritas Perempuan expresses the following:
- 1. Extends its deepest condolences for the loss of lives and the immense
losses suffered by family members who survived
- 2. Calls on the government, military, and aid givers to provide special
attention to the more vulnerable groups of victims such as women and children
- 3. Invites all parties to give a helping hand to save victims and sources of
livelihoods in the disaster areas
- 4. Appeals to donors of funds and helpers of logistics to be transparent and
accountable in delivering aid, without manipulation or corruption
- 5. Beckons the government to refrain from taking advantage of this national
disaster in order to fulfill political interests, especially in continuing and
maintaining the civil emergency status in Aceh
- Solidaritas Perempuan joins hands with others in raising funds to relieve the
suffering of the victims, especially women and children. In this respect,
Solidaritas Perempuan (SP) has established the Solidaritas Perempuan crisis
center for Tsunami Victims in Jakarta and Aceh. SP has sent a special team to
Aceh on Wednesday, 29 December 2004 to identify victims and attend to the
special needs of victims.
Jakarta, 28 December 2004
SALMA SAFITRI RAHAYAAN
Head, National Executive Committee
Solidaritas Perempuan (Women's Solidarity for Human Rights)
DONATIONS CAN BE SENT TO THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNT:
Bank Account Number: 126-0002261096
Bank Mandiri, Kalibata Branch, Jakarta, Indonesia
Under the name of Salma Safitri and Mieke
Contact persons:
Salma Safitri (+62-8129500898), Risma Umar (+62-8129684615), Wiwin Tanian
(+62-8129475949), Era (+62-8128053161 or +62-2170791715), Evelyn
(+62-81316686194)
Contact Address for SOLIDARITAS PEREMPUAN CRISIS CENTER FOR TSUNAMI VICTIMS:
Jl. Jatipadang Raya, Gg. Wahid No: 64 Pasar Minggu, Jakarta 12540 Indonesia
Telp: (62 21) 7826008, Fax: (62 21) 780 2529,
Email: soliper@centrin.net.id
Aceh Arcvhive news:
28th Dec 2004
The Indonesian Government has called for a temporary ceasefire of the armed
conflict there, has declared the situation there as a national disaster and
has finally lifted the previously imposed embargo against international aid
going to Aceh. However, Aceh, Nias and Pantai Cermin are still short of
medical assistance and necessary supplies.
What is needed at the moment include the following:
- 1. Trained medical personnel to treat patients, dispense medical supplies and
ascertain the post-disaster assistance needed
- 2. Emergency medical supplies, especially antibiotics, pain-killers, bandages,
dressing trays, surgical supplies, operating tents for triage, stretchers,
intravenous drip and other medical necessities
- 3. Body bags for corpses, which are quickly decomposing in the tropical heat
and which may cause the rapid spread of disease
- 4. Emergency food supplies
- 5. Drinking water and water containers
- 6. Equipment for emergency shelter
- 7. Emergency sanitation equipment
- 8. Communication equipment using satellite and independent charging equipment,
because all electricity is out and the helpers there need a means of
communication
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