Catholic groups send goods, workers to help Indonesian quake victims

Published: 2007-09-14

PALEMBANG, Indonesia (CNS) -- International and local Catholic organizations sent aid and volunteers to areas in Indonesia affected by the mid-September earthquakes. The Archdiocese of Palembang on Indonesia's Sumatra Island sent financial aid and volunteers to the quake-affected area of Bengkulu, said Sacred Heart of Jesus Father Antonius Yuswita. Father Yuswita, archdiocesan vicar general, said the archdiocese planned to transfer nearly $17,000 as emergency aid to St. John the Evangelist Church's disaster committee in Bengkulu. He told the Asian church news agency UCA News Sept. 14 that the archdiocese also was sending a volunteer team of medical and construction workers to help the victims. "All aid from Catholics and through the local Catholic Church is humanitarian, meant for all victims, regardless of their religious backgrounds," he said. The powerful earthquakes that hit Indonesia Sept. 12 and 13 severely damaged homes and buildings and forced thousands of people to stay outside their homes or leave for higher places in fear of a tsunami. At least 10 people were reported killed, and hundreds were injured.

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