Blontank Poer, Klaten – This year's Idul Fitri was hard work for Yadi and Sriyati who live in the earthquake-hit village of Gesikan in Klaten, Central Java.

After the procession of sungkeman – asking for forgiveness to family members and neighbors – they told neighbors about their fate; that they could not afford to rebuild their house, which was destroyed during the May 27 quake.

"The government's pledge to give assistance to rebuild the house has never materialized, while other assistance for our daily lives has stopped as of last month," Yadi said.

While Yadi already has a temporary bamboo house erected by a political party, of which he is a member, hundreds of other earthquake victims still live in makeshift tents.

To earn enough money to eat, many earthquake survivors took on hard manual labor despite suffering broken bones or fractures during the disaster. Now many complain of lingering pain from their injuries.

"Many of them have been informed by doctors that their bones have not properly healed," said Sriyati, who is still pained by her injured right shoulder.

While non-governmental organizations and hospitals are still offering free medical treatment, Yadi worries it would not last.

"If our finances don't improve, it will be difficult for us to get the medical services we need. At the same time we have to think how to rebuild our house," he said.

Another hard-luck story was told by Muhamad Suhudi, 38, a resident of Balong village in Gantiwarno, who was still living at a makeshift tent.

Most villagers have celebrated Idul Fitri in tents and many do not have money for all but the most rudimentary of snacks, he said. "However, most of the victims have submitted to their fate. The arrival of their relatives has helped heal their wounds," Suhudi said.

He hoped the government would keep its promise to help the villagers.

"In our village, there is a now new (local government) policy (that villagers must) make a proposal to the regental administration to get assistance. The money, it is said, will be disbursed in November. I hope the government does not retract its pledge again," he said.

Meanwhile, 75-year-old widow Suto Pawiro has no house and has had to celebrate Idul Fitri alone because her only son could not afford to return home.

"The presence of my neighbors keeps me entertained although I long for my son and grandchildren," Suto said, while she cooked amid the rubble of her house.