It’s Time to Speak
by: Arsa Wening
Hundreds-years-civilization vanished by mud that was spitted out from earth. Lack of technology knowledge, PT Lapindo is held responsible for the mud disaster in Sidoarjo, in late 2006. The disaster is later known as Lapindo Mud.
There is no clear solution; Thousands of Lapindo mud victims are displaced. This might be one of disaster that did not invite humanitarian aid in the history of mankind. Humanitarian aid agency feels doubt. Even if they help, they feel awkward. They are afraid that their mission might be trapped into the conflict. They’re afraid to be said as pro Lapinod or Pro government. The humanitarian agencies are like in the crossroad.
It is not easy to help. The condition is very complicated. If the aid is not distributed evenly, it would create conflict. Aside from those facts, emotion cannot be restrained. All doubts have to be clear out. Our conscious must be present to give helping hands for the hurt victims of Lapindo Mud.
Lapindo victims are waiting. Not sure when. While waiting, life must go on. If not, then we will witness a lost generation. If Lapindo fail to keep their promise or our government is not committed to help then one civilization will become homeless. 
It’s started with the humanitarian consciousness; DD sent their humanitarian team on Monday, 2 July 2007. At the same time DD helped the logistic of Lapindo victims who came to post an act of protest in Jakarta. Despite its limited actions, DD once helped for a month in Pasar Baru refugee camp. DD took the children of mud victims for a picnic at the zoo.
In support for the economy, DD selected 20 families, RT 7 and RT 8, RW2 of Desa Kedung Bendo Kecamatan Tanggulangin and provided them with business capital. They are part o
f Wallet and leather bags craftsman of Tanggulangin who have established a unit of cooperative ISM Duta Rana Mandiri. A syariah micro institution that was facilitated by Masyarakat Mandiri – DD.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Lapindo Mud
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1 comment:
I understand about the hesitance among NGO's, especially international ones, to involved helping Lapindo disaster victims. I suspect, they even seek refuge to the comfort of high profile campaign launch by Lapindo that, the company in fact, had been taking care of the victims. A campaign that's anything but true.
So, the big question remains for NGOs. Would technical consideration undermine phylosophical and ethical consideration, the very reason those entities need to exist, which is to strengthen ordinary citizen against corrupt government hand in hand with greedy companies?
What do u think of that?
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