Hundreds of Indonesian terrorist attack victims have established a forum to share their grief and to provide support for affected victims and families.
The Association of Indonesian Bombing Victims (Askobi) will provide space for around 500 members to help each other heal.
Askobi chairperson Wahyu Adiartono, a victim of J.W. Marriott's bomb attack in 2003, said terrorists had bombed several places in Indonesia since the early 2000s.
Among the tragic events were bomb attacks during Christmas eve in a number of churches, bomb blasts at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta, Bali bombings in October 2002 and 2005, JW Marriott's Bomb I and II and the Ritz Carlton in Jakarta. "By uniting, we expect we can strengthen each other in times of trouble. We also hope to get support from the government and the communities in our efforts to get through this difficult period," Adiartono said.
Previously, victims of the bombings had already established separate organizations, such as Isana Dewata Foundation, which overviewed victims of Bali bombings, and Lima Delapan (Five Eight) Foundation for victims of J.W. Marriott bombs.
"Askobi will take care of all victims of terrorism," Adiartono said.
Askobi, he added, would also focus on several programs -capacity building in the fields of education, health and economic empowerment.
"A lot of families of bomb victims are now suffering from economic hardships as their fathers and mothers have lost their jobs," he said.
"Some victims are now physically handicapped, forcing them to stay at home, and many also suffer from mental health issues."
During the seventh commemoration on Monday of the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people, Askobi members vowed to promote peace and to support each other.
Tumini, 34, a Bali bombing victim whose face and body were heavily burned, expected to get help from other members.
"So far, we have received very little support from both the government and the community," she said.
Tumini said people like her still required medical treatment.
"My body was seriously wounded and even now we still feel the pain of the scars," she said, adding she had been forced to quit her job and find a lower-paid one due to her physical shortcomings.
The commemoration of the Bali bombings came in many forms.
The Batak community from North Sumatra held a special concert on Kuta beach entertaining victims of terrorists. Local and foreign surfers observed the event by holding "Paddles for Peace".
Domestic and international tourists held joint prayers to remember those who passed away during the tragedy.
Fith Fithian, a Canadian surfer, said he felt privileged to be in Kuta for the commemoration.
| 
|
|
|
|
|
|
|