The United Nations, aid agencies and national governments were scrambling on Sunday to get food and supplies to Indonesian towns and cities that have been reduced to rubble by an earthquake that left thousands dead or homeless.
As photos and footage emerged of stunned, anguished survivors limping over crumbled buildings, agencies and governments offered millions of dollars, tonnes of supplies and hundreds of personnel.
The magnitude 6,3 quake hit central Indonesia’s densely populated Java island on Saturday, flattening buildings and killing more than 4 300 people in the country’s worst disaster since the 2004 tsunami. It also triggered fears that a nearby rumbling volcano would erupt and caused serious damage to the world-famous 9th century Prambanan temple.
Representatives of UN agencies — as well as the international Red Cross and other aid organisations — will meet on Monday in Geneva to discuss the humanitarian response to the Indonesian earthquake, said Elisabeth Byrs, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA.
OCHA is also releasing an emergency grant of $50 000 to help the victims. ”We are working closely with the government authorities,” Byrs said. ”I think that the government has the capacity to deal with the search and rescue operations.”
The most urgent needs are field hospitals, medicine, body bags, food parcels, family tents and tarpaulins, she said.
The Rome-based UN World Food Programme said a UN plane with medicine and medical personnel was on its way, as were eight truckloads of fortified noodles and biscuits.
The international Red Cross said it had distributed about 2 000 family tents and up to 8 000 more are on their way. A field hospital has also arrived in the affected area from Aceh, said Anna Nelson, spokesperson for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
”We’ve got about 500 people now, volunteers and staff, on the ground,” Nelson said, adding that the Red Cross is waiting for information from two assessment teams before deciding on any further measures.
The Geneva-based federation estimates that about 200 000 people have been left homeless by the quake and has appealed for 12-million Swiss francs ($9,8-million).
Governments across Asia and Europe also announced aid packages.
The British government pledged £3-million ($5,6-million) to be channeled through the UN, and another £1-million ($1,85-million) through the Red
Cross.
The European Union is granting up to â,¬3 million ($3,8-million) in emergency aid.
Germany offered a mobile water purification plant and other emergency aid worth a total of â,¬500 000 ($635 000).
Funds are also earmarked for relief organisations providing medical aid and shelter in the quake-hit area and German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier invited his Indonesian counterpart to come forward with specific requests for assistance.
Spain will send on Monday a plane carrying relief equipment including medicine, blankets and tents to Indonesia as well as a team of experts in humanitarian aid, the Foreign Ministry said.
Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D’Alema ordered a planeload of 27 tonnes of tents, blankets, cooking kits, plastic sheeting, generators, pumps and water purification equipment sent to Java.
Switzerland said it would send two experts and donate $100 000 to the Indonesian Red Cross. The Italian Bishops Conference of the Catholic church said it was allocating â,¬2-million ($2,5-million).
Belgium is giving the quake victims â,¬650 000 ($830 000) in emergency aid, news reports said.
In Asia, South Korea rushed in 19 doctors and rescuers, and $100 000 worth of emergency medical gear, the Foreign Ministry said. Malaysia has sent about 300 disaster relief experts, five doctors, several paramedics and a tonne of food, blankets and other essentials, national news agency Bernama said.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Alexander Downer offered Aus$3-million ($2,3-million) for emergency food, shelter and medical supplies, and may do more.
Japan’s government said it was preparing to send relief goods and financial aid, and had already sent seven doctors and nurses.
The Japanese Red Cross Society said it would contribute ¥100-million ($900 000).
China offered $2-million in cash and said it would send rescue personnel and materials as needed, the official Xinhua News Agency said.
Singapore said it was sending 78 medical, disaster and rescue workers, and search dogs. It has also pledged $50 000 in emergency supplies.
Thailand said it plans to send aid, deciding on details Monday.
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered a humanitarian mission deployed to the quake zone, but did not immediately give further details.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Helen Clark said her country would give NZ$500 000 ($316 500) — and more if needed.
Leaders in France, The Netherlands and Pakistan also offered to help. – Sapa-AP