FORUM-ASIA expresses our deepest condolences to the victims of and our solidarity with the survivors of the 27 May 2006 earthquake that struck the city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. So far the earthquake has claimed the lives of more than 5,000 people, with more than 15,000 injured and an estimated 200,000 people displaced – most of whom are now living in makeshift shacks of plastic sheets next to their ruined homes.FORUM-ASIA expresses our deepest condolences to the victims of and our solidarity with the survivors of the 27 May 2006 earthquake that struck the city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. So far the earthquake has claimed the lives of more than 5,000 people, with more than 15,000 injured and an estimated 200,000 people displaced – most of whom are now living in makeshift shacks of plastic sheets next to their ruined homes.
We express our concern that assistance for the displaced persons are still lacking and slow. Media reports and eyewitness accounts from the ground indicate that survivors are facing a tremendous lack of canned food, water, energy biscuits, medicines, tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment and clothes. Due to lack of coordination, the people in hard-to-reach areas are unable to receive aid and assistance.
While recognising the logistical difficulties facing authorities and aid workers, we call on the Indonesian authorities to ensure that all victims and survivors have the right to humanitarian assistance and that relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction activities are carried out in line with international human rights standards. This includes the UN Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and the recent recommendations made by the Representative of the UN Secretary General on Internal Displaced Persons regarding the protection of internally displaced persons in situations of natural disasters.
The lessons of the December 2004 Tsunami must not be forgotten. Non-discrimination in aid, the full and active participation of victims, survivors and local groups, and transparency and accountability must be maintained from the early stages of response. Attention needs to be paid to the special needs of women, children, the elderly and disabled and other vulnerable groups.
We also call on the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia (Komnas HAM) to play an active role in the aftermath of the tragedy, in line with the 'Guidelines on Internally Displaced Persons in the Context of Natural Disasters: a Common Methodology for National Human Rights Institutions' adopted by the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions.
FORUM-ASIA is committed to advocating human rights and humanitarian concerns. Together with our national members in Jakarta, we monitor closely the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts and to meet the expectations of the victims, survivors and civil society in the region.
In solidarity,
Anselmo Lee
Executive Director
