Catholic organizations in Indonesia initiated a humanitarian mission to help victims of Mt. Lewotobi’s recent volcanic eruption, which has claimed lives and displaced thousands across East Flores Regency.
Among those leading the response are Caritas Indonesia of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI), the Carina Foundation of Semarang Archdiocese, Carital of Larantuka Diocese, the Alumni Forum of Mertoyudan’s Seminary (IASM), the Alumni Forum of Driyakara School of Philosophy, and the Indonesian Professional Business Association (PUKAT) of Bogor Diocese.
“We are focused on providing essential things to at least 1,000 survivors,” said Eko Sugiyanto of Caritas Indonesia.
Financial support is already reaching affected areas, with the Mertoyudan Seminary Alumni Forum (IASM) having channeled 60 million IDR in humanitarian funds to San Dominggo Hokeng Minor Seminary, according to its chairperson, Markus Budiraharjo.
The eruption has forced hundreds of students, priests, and teachers from Sang Dominggo Minor Seminary to seek refuge in a nearby parish church.
A Catholic nunnery, along with its compound, which includes a postulancy and a boarding school, also sustained severe damage.”
Meanwhile, Irwan Hidayat, a philanthropist whose Sido Muncul Herbal Company contributed 350 million IDR to Carital, Larantuka Diocese’s humanitarian agency.
“This is our gesture of solidarity and compassion with our fellow Indonesians,” Hidayat told LiCAS News.
Hidayat has a track record of stepping up during natural disasters, regularly offering support to affected communities.
His company also provides free transportation to thousands of travelers, mostly low-income workers, during the annual migration ahead of Eid al-Fitr.
Hundreds of Chinese Catholics in East Flores’ Maumere region have donated water and essential supplies to fellow Indonesians.
Father Pey Hurint of the Diocese of Larantuka recalled facing harsher conditions in West Sumatra’s Mentawai Islands after the 9.1-magnitude earthquake in Aceh triggered a devastating tsunami.
Currently, around 4,000 people remain displaced, with reconstruction expected to begin once the volcanic ash settles.
Earlier, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, Archbishop of Jakarta, encouraged Catholics to extend aid, emphasizing that generosity is part of their national character.
“The true of our Indonesian people’s DNA is generous,” Cardinal Suharyo said in a gathering with Catholic businesspeople in September.
