ICC Note:

On December 7th, a 6.5 magnitude earthquake rocked Aceh province in Indonesia, killing over 100, injuring 750, and leaving more than 3,000 without their homes. Aceh province experiences some of the strongest persecution of Christians in the country. Still Christians have been carefully organizing and sending aid efforts to help in the recovery after the earthquake. A Catholic priest told UCA News that they had to be careful in their efforts because many were resistant to aid from non-Muslims. Last year, ten churches were destroyed by Muslim radicals and the local government. Both Christians and Muslims have been meted punishment under Muslim law, including public canings. This area of Indonesia is known for its strict implementation of Sharia law and is one of the hardest places in the country to be a Christian.

12/13/2016 Indonesia (UCA News) – Catholic parishes, organizations and individuals in Indonesia have sprung into action, fundraising and collecting survival items to distribute among thousands of earthquake survivors in Indonesia’s Aceh province.

A 6.5 magnitude earthquake devastated the Muslim-majority province on Dec. 7. Over 100 people were killed, 750 were injured and more than 3000 left homeless. Hundreds of buildings were damaged, including 18 mosques in the districts of Pidie Jaya, Bireuen, and Pidi.

In a statement on Dec. 12, Caritas Indonesia said that people needed emergency tents, mattresses, blankets, kitchen utensils, clean water, emergency toilets and food for adults and infants, according to their assessment.

Divine Word Father Paul Rahmat, executive director of VIVAT International Indonesia, a human rights advocacy group, said that many Catholic organizations, parishes and individuals in Jakarta and other parts of Indonesia have started collections.

“We have received blankets and we will send them to Medan next week,” he said.

However, Father Rahmat also said that distributing aid to Aceh must be done with prudence because some residents are resistant to help from non-Muslims.

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