FEBC Indonesia (Heartline) supports refugees who cannot get government support let alone access to vaccines. This is a further struggle compounding issues for those who have been detained in a foreign land with no rights.
Refugees have no rights to education or health and are not allowed to legally work. One of the beneficiaries testifies saying:
‘The Heartline team visited me and my wife; they gave me five kg of rice, frying oil, and instant noodles. Their visit has strengthened me. I am grateful for HL programs every night until morning. Thank you, HL.’
Content is aired via Heartline - Karawaci FM two nights a week. Listener follow-up happens via face-to-face, social media, and apps. The audience consists of listeners of all ages and all nationalities who speak Persian, usually from Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. They are people who have fled their countries due to war, change of religion, or repressive regimes. PARS producers are refugees themselves and ‘The Voice of the Refugee’ is produced by refugees for refugees.
Their talks are very easy to understand and a fun way for a refugee to spend his/her time on PARS podcasts despite their situation. YASKI’s Persian program for the Persian community in Jakarta is called Radio PARS Jakarta (FEBC Persian Refugee Service), which continues at the same level despite COVID-19 impacts.
It not only ministers to refugees in Indonesia but also around the world. The impact of this program can be seen in Malaysia, India, and other South Asian and Southeast Asian countries, as well as in Europe, particularly Turkey. In Indonesia, FEBC provides much-needed relief and practical support such as food, clothing, and counselling among others.
