Slamet Susanto, Yogyakarta – Seven of 11 people who have been on a hunger strike outside the Yogyakarta provincial council building since July 12 have been hospitalized since Wednesday, including a hunger striker who was rushed to Sardjito Hospital on Friday.

The four remaining strikers have vowed to continue their action until the government delivers on promised financial assistance for victims of the May 27 earthquake.

Two of the protesters were taken to the hospital Wednesday and four others were hospitalized Thursday. All were suffering from dehydration and low blood sugar levels.

"One of the protesters was rushed to Sardjito Hospital today (Friday) after his condition deteriorated," said strike coordinator Iyan Aryo Samito.

Five volunteers and six survivors of the devastating quake which struck Yogyakarta and parts of Central Java are staging the hunger strike. They want the government to deliver promised financial assistance for quake survivors, including a Rp 90,000 (US$9.70) daily living allowance and up to Rp 30 million to rebuild damaged and destroyed homes.

The five volunteers began the hunger strike July 12, and were joined the next day by six quake survivors from Bantul regency, which suffered the heaviest damage in the temblor.

The remaining four protesters – two students and two quake survivors – have vowed to continue the action.

"We don't know for how long we will continue the hunger strike. We'll hold an evaluation meeting to check whether the government has met its promises or not. "If not, we'll continue the strike," coordinator Iyan said.

The strike has gained the support of quake survivors, many of whom have visited the protesters. Residents of Gondosuli hamlet in Bantul collected money to help the strikers.

"About Rp 250,000 was donated by two neighborhood units and is being used to support the strikers, such as to buy soap and other items," said Gondosuli resident Akhid Royadi, who visited the strikers.

Meanwhile, Bantul regency marked its 175th anniversary Thursday with a simple ceremony, during which a prayer was said for victims of the earthquake that killed more than 5,800 people.

Wearing traditional Javanese clothes, the participants, including fishermen, farmers, traders and officials, gathered in the regency's main field.

During the prayer, many of the participants broke into tears. "Let's hope these are the last tears before we get back on our feet," said Sadino, a fisherman from Samas beach.