Latest News #222
November 21, 2002

The following news concerns Indonesia.

Natural disasters and social problems present challenges for Indonesian Bible Society

JAKARTA, Indonesia — The Indonesian Bible Society (LAI) is seeking prayer support from the UBS fellowship as it develops appropriate responses to a series of disasters and a range of social and economic problems.

An earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale hit Sumatra on November 2, causing particular damage on the remote island of Simeuluë, off the western coast of Sumatra, where more than 40 people were injured. Only two days later, a ferry travelling from Ambon to Masohi, on Seram, sank soon after leaving port. Five bodies have been recovered and around 130 people rescued but some 50 passengers remain unaccounted for. Most recently, Mount Papandayan, in West Java province, has been erupting. At least 5,000 people fled their homes as ash and smoke from at least six of the volcano’s eight craters began filling the skies in the surrounding area and mudflows threatened nearby villages. Some homes have been destroyed and there has been significant damage to rice fields. There have been no reports of casualties but the government has set up four emergency medical centres.

LAI General Secretary Mr Supardan reports that these disasters have served to exacerbate the sense of “despair, frustration and sometimes hopelessness” among Indonesians at a time of economic crisis and social unrest. There are signs that 26 years of violence between government forces and separatist rebels in Aceh province, northern Sumatra, might shortly be brought to an end by a peace agreement. In general, however, the political situation remains tense, particularly in the light of the bomb attack in Bali on October 12 (see Latest News #219). Warnings of further bomb attacks have led to the temporary closure of several international schools in Jakarta and a number of foreign governments have advised their nationals to leave Indonesia altogether. Economic problems, especially unemployment, are pushing up levels of crime and violence.