Relief operation still dogged by logistical hurdles<\/p>\n
By Binny Buchori<\/p>\n
BIAK, Irian Jaya (JP): Tons of food supplies for the survivors
\nof this month's earthquake are piling up in Biak as the
\nauthorities struggle to distribute them to the intended
\nrecipients.<\/p>\n
Only three helicopters are available to bring the supplies to
\nthe remote villagers on Biak Island and surrounding islets that
\nwere destroyed either by the powerful quake or the subsequent
\ntidal waves on Feb. 17.<\/p>\n
With land access cut off and the sea too rough for ordinary
\nsailing, helicopters are the only means of reaching remote
\nvillages and smaller islands.<\/p>\n
At least five huge tents have been set up at the headquarters
\nof the disaster relief operation to accommodate the food,
\nblankets and medicines that have been pouring into Biak.<\/p>\n
Two rooms in the office of Biak Regency Chief Amandus
\nMansnembra were also filled with relief supplies.<\/p>\n
The supplies were donated by the government, foreign
\ngovernments and local and foreign private organizations.<\/p>\n
The latest relief to arrive at Biak airport yesterday was
\nflown in on board a U.S. Air Force transport plane from Guam.<\/p>\n
Tandy Meinardi, program officer of the local office of the
\nU.S. Agency for International Development said the Rp 600 million
\nworth of supplies include tents, water tanks and blankets.<\/p>\n
Irian Jaya Vice Governor Basyir Bachtiar received the USAID
\nsupplies on behalf of the government in Biak.<\/p>\n
The quake, which measured 7.0 on the Richter scale, killed 107
\npeople. More than 50 people have been reported missing. Biak
\nitself was destroyed while villages along Biak Island coast and
\nthose on nearby smaller islands were swept by the tidal waves.<\/p>\n
The three helicopters in Biak have been ferrying food to areas
\nclose to the town and have not yet ventured out to the far-flung
\nterritories.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile a group of people from the islands managed to find
\ntheir way to Biak yesterday, and were taking the food supplies
\nthemselves rather than waiting for the helicopter to arrive.<\/p>\n
Biak residents who have received the supplies also complained
\nof very small rationing. One family said they had been given
\nthree kilograms of rice and two packets of instant noodles and
\nwere told to make do with that for the next week.<\/p>\n
Some islanders said that while the rice and noodles were
\nwelcome, they were not the Irianese staples of sagoo and sweet
\npotato.<\/p>\n
They also said that they needed tools to resume working and
\nrebuild their homes, while their wives needed kitchen utensils.<\/p>\n
None of these were included in the aid that is being sent to
\nBiak, they said.<\/p>\n
Biak officials meanwhile said that a big delegation from
\nJakarta, including nine cabinet members are expected to arrive in
\nBiak on Thursday to inspect relief operations at first hand.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/relief-operation-still-dogged-by-logistical-hurdles-1447893297",
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