Reuters AlertNet, 04 May 2004 09:18:00 GMT
Ambon - Sectarian Violence Resurfaces
Geneva, 3 May 2004
On 25 April 2004 fresh sectarian violence broke out in Ambon, the Maluku provincial
capital. The violence flared up after some 25 members of the separatist Maluku
Sovereignty Front (FKM) celebrated the 54th anniversary of the proclamation of a
South Maluku Republic (RMS). This was the worst violence since an agreement in
February 2002 ended three years of sectarian fighting in which some 5,000 persons
died. The parade which had been banned, was seen as a provocation by many.
According to Agence France-Presse some 200 homes were set ablaze. The United
Nations mission, a hotel and a church were also torched, as were a Christian
university and a Muslim high school hit by tit-for-tat attacks.
Current Situation
More than 2,000 Muslims and Christians have fled their homes to seek security with
relatives/families in other villages, or in public buildings such as mosques and
schools. Those who have not fled remain confined to their respective sectors behind
makeshift barricades.
According to the media about 37 people have been killed in the week long clashes
and some 200 persons injured - these numbers are increasing in the continuing unrest
and outbreaks of violence. Social and economic interaction is disrupted, especially in
the conflict area. Several thousand are displaced and in need of emergency support
such as food (rice, sugar, milk, baby food) and non-food items such as sarongs and
other clothing.
The ACT CO has received requests for immediate assistance from ACT members
Yayasan Tanggul Bencana (YTB) and Yakkum Emergency Unit (YEU). Both
members have co-ordinated their proposals to ensure no overlapping of working areas.
YEU proposes to provide food for a period of one month to 687 displaced households
as well as utensils and family hygiene kits for 449 households in Poka, Ruma Tiga,
Talake and Pohon Pula and some areas of Ambon city. The YEU proposal has a
budget of $ 64,4332.
YTB proposes to provide assistance to 508 displaced families in the form of food and
non food items (mainly clothing). The YTB budget is $ 29,469.
These requests are currently being processed. In the meantime, we would be grateful
for indications of support.
Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT
Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org). Thank you. (ends)
ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and
support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is
based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation
(LWF) in Switzerland.
[Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters.]
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