Sense of empathy for tsunami victims still strong in Paris

Kornelius Purba, Paris

Contributions for tsunami-devastated areas continue to pour in -- though with a quiet reserve over whether the hundreds of thousands of victims will really get any of it.

This sense was also present at a charity event in Paris last week.

The Secours Populaire Francais building was filled with about 100 people, among them daughters of a leader of the now-defunct Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), Ruri and Elia Aidit. Seven deaf and mute French youngsters also gave their enthusiastic support to the charity night, organized to collect funds for tsunami victims in Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam and North Sumatra.

A robust round of applause greeted 10 dancers, including four French women, who performed the energetic Acehnese Saman dance.

On the same day, a similar charity event for victims in Asia was broadcast by CNN. It was a recording of the MTV Asia Aid concert that was held a few days earlier in Bangkok. Money collected from the concert will be used by UNICEF to help victims of the tsunami in Asia. French stars, including the Indonesian- born Anggun Sasmita, also collaborated in the event.

A young French woman who works as a shop attendant at the Porte Mallliot shopping center said during the evening event in Paris that she would donate the money she had saved to celebrate Valentine's Day.

"It doesn't matter what their religion is. It is a matter of humanity for me to help people, especially those who are living in Aceh," she said.

Two months have passed since the Dec. 26 tsunami, but the need for assistance is not over. The reconstruction of devastated areas and assistance for victims to rebuild their lives needs long term support.

Fortunately, a strong sense of empathy for the victims has been evident throughout the world. From celebrities to ordinary people, globally there is generosity and willingness to help. Two former U.S. presidents -- George W. Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton -- have even been specifically assigned by their government to help rally support in this cause.

As most of the victims are Acehnese, it is only natural that most aid will also be channeled there. International media reports have noted their respect for the integrity of Acehnese Muslims and their sympathy for the people who have, supposedly, become victims of an ongoing state of armed rebellion.

There is a strong international expectation that the disaster must be used as an opportunity for the troubled province to resolve its internal political problems, and, hopefully, accept with dignity their identity as Indonesian citizens.

But a question posed by one young Indonesian woman during the cultural night touching and poignant: "Will the victims really receive our help?"

It would be absolutely tragic if Indonesians forgot the plight of their cousins in Aceh and North Sumatra for the sake of greed.

If he were there on that Paris night Vice President Jusuf Kalla, who is charged with reconstruction management, would possibly take the woman's remark as a personal slight. Especially since her father was a prominent PKI member.

But the girl is not alone in posing her question. While this may not be an issue for many Indonesians, similar questions are being asked by millions of people across the globe, many of whom donated money for tsunami victims.

Abuse has already been reported in the national media. An unspoken suspicion lingers. Past incidents -- from the Lampung earthquake many years ago to the recent disaster in Nabire in Papua -- only compound the uneasiness.

While this appeal may sound cliche, Indonesia really, truly must prove to people around the world -- including those gathered at that Paris hall -- that this time their trust will not be betrayed.

The young shop attendant promised to donate at least 15 euros for tsunami victims. If her hard-earned money is not given to the victims of the disaster, Indonesia will be branded as a nation that has no sense of shame.