The Governor of Yogyakarta and his wife with (from left) Lieut-Colonels Merv (General Secretary, Hong Kong and Macau Command) and Elaine Rowland, territorial leaders Commissioners Augustina and Johannes Watilete and SAWSO representative Major Geoff Blurton
The Salvation Army's relief work in Indonesia was given a boost when a group of Salvationists was received by the Governor of Yogyakarta, Sri Sultan Hamangku Buwono, and his wife. The couple later visited a village where The Salvation Army is working.
The delegation was led by The Salvation Army's territorial leaders for Indonesia, Commissioners Johannes and Augustina Watilete, and included Major Dina Ismael, Territorial Coordinator for Emergency and Relief, members of the territory’s Compassion in Action teams and overseas representatives.
The Governor warmly greeted the visitors and invited the territorial commander to speak about The Salvation Army's work in response to the Yogyakarta earthquake.
Commissioner Watilete reported that the provision of medical care started on 28 May – just two days after the earthquake. The medical team is divided into two groups and between them they are covering three districts – Bantul, Klaten and Sleman. By 8 June, 1,563 patients had received treatment.
Trauma counselling and a children’s programme began on 1 June, covering three districts. In the first week, 241 children and 170 adults benefited from the project.
The commissioner told the Governor that Salvation Army relief workers had noted food provision was being made for adults but babies and children were not being catered for adequately. With this in mind, particular attention was paid to the needs of children.
Commissioner Watilete said The Salvation Army had thus far distributed 400 mats, 200 blankets, 300 tents, 240 cooking stoves, 100 generators, 105 large lanterns, 15 large bags of used clothing, 5,000 food parcels for adults, 150 boxes of mineral water (300 x 400ml bottles in each box) and 3,012 food parcels for babies and children. All these were distributed across 17 villages in three districts:
The Governor thanked the territorial commander for his report and commended The Salvation Army on the initiatives taken.
Later that day, members of the Salvation Army delegation were honoured guests as the Governor and his wife addressed the villagers of Segoroyoso, where The Salvation Army is working. The Governor encouraged the villagers to help themselves, to start the rebuilding process and to restore the community to what it was before the earthquake. He promised central government support but also encouraged agencies such as The Salvation Army to play their part in providing materials.
Following the speeches there were symbolic presentations to the Governor. The Salvation Army presented a food parcel and Rotary International presented a Shelter Box tent.
