JRS - Indonesia, April 17, 2004 11:07 AM
Relocation for IDPs in Passo Parish, Ambon
Three year ago, 16 families sought refuge in the Passo Parish Church in Ambon. They
were forced to leave their homes because violence
More than 3 years have passed since 16 households knocked on the door of the
Passo Parish Curch in Ambon. The families were forced into displacement when
violence erupted between Christian and Muslim communities throughout the Moluccas
in 1999. In desperation, these families turned to the church for protection. The church
community allowed them to stay, and the families and the church council signed an
agreement that the arrangement would not last more than one year. However, now,
three years later the families still do not have anywhere else to go. The government
has not yet responded to their pleas for assistance, and the church community is
beginning to feel the strains of their hospitality. The numerous guests claims both
time and space, and help for daily necessities and pastoral services.
The parish priest and the council have assisted the IDPs registering for resettlement
to various potential locations. So far this work has not been fruitful. At the same time,
the situation in the church has become more complicated as the bishop of Amboina,
MGR. P.C. Mandagi, MSC has ordered restoration of the building. The IDPs are in a
difficult position, as they have been able to establish a life in the neighborhood of the
church. They sell food and work as crafts men in the area. The church community on
the other hand, can no longer carry the costs of the IDPs, and has given them 5
months to find another solution.
As all strategies to solve the dilemma has failed, the IDP representative Mr Aloyus
turned to JRS for help. JRS was soon able to facilitate a meeting between the church
council, the Passo Parish Priest a representative of former bishop MGR Sol MSC and
the IDPs. The meeting created an atmosphere where the involved parties could air
their concerns, and the result of the meeting is that all the 16 families will move out
from the church. One family will return to their place of origin, a few families already
have their own houses. The remaining IDPs will be resettled to a housing complex set
up by former bishop Mgr. Sol MSC in Air Besar.
Publication Date : April 17, 2004 11:07 AM
© Jesuit Refugee Service Indonesia 2002
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