Tuesday, 30 May 2006 @ 11:38am.

I am very grateful to have heard from several friends in Yogyakarta. Their properties have been damaged, but they still have their health. I hope everyone finds the strength to continue.

As for me, my trip to Yogyakarta has been temporarily postponed. I was originally supposed to go there for the Fulbright-AMINEF program and then stay an extra week or two for my own research, but the program location was changed to Jakarta since flights were limited, delayed, or cancelled due to low visibility from Mt. Merapi. I was still going to go to Yogya until the earthquake occurred; now is not the right time for research there. On a personal note, it is difficult to stay focused on work when others are suffering and have to struggle to obtain basic necessities such as food, water, shelter, and health care.

Recent news in English regarding post-earthquake efforts:

“Urgent need for hospitals, tents” (CNN)
“Aid flow begins for Java victims” (BBC)
“Fearful Jakartans seek out relatives amid devastation” (The Jakarta Post)

And in more sad news, East Timor is in the midst of violence again, though foreign peacekeepers have improved the situation over the past few days:

“East Timor hit by fresh looting” (BBC)
“About 2,000 RI citizens still in Dili” (The Jakarta Post)