Sense of empathy for tsunami victims still strong in Paris
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.