McGill-Indonesia ties put local face on humanitarian crisis

McGill Principal and Vice-Chancellor Heather Munroe-Blum extended the McGill community's deepest sympathy to the people of Indonesia, including McGill students from that country, for the losses suffered as a result of the devastating earthquakes that struck over the weekend.

"Our heartfelt sympathies go out to all those affected, with deep concern for our students and their families and friends," Principal Munroe-Blum said. "We are working to provide a full range of support to our students and university partners in the region in this troubled time."

There are about 25 students and visiting lecturers currently at McGill University who are from the areas affected by the earthquakes. Many are associated with the Indonesia Social Equity Project or are graduate students studying at McGill. Of those, 17 are university lecturers from the State Islamic University Sunan Kalijaga in Yogyakarta, which was severely damaged by the earthquakes.

Over the weekend, McGill's Indonesia Project contacted all the Indonesians at McGill and helped contact all their families in the affected areas. So far, no family members have been reported lost and efforts continue to reach students' family members in areas that have been cut off. There has been serious damage to the homes of several people at McGill.

University officials have been in close contact with the Indonesians and have organized a get-together on Sunday night so that those affected can share information and support. They are offering counseling for those who need assistance.

PERMIKA, the Indonesian students' association at McGill, has begun a fundraising campaign to provide food for one of the most severely affected villages. For further information about donating funds, please call 802-3381 or 804-3467.