IFRC extends US$20m for Bali's recovery

JAKARTA: The Federation of the International Red Cross (IFRC) has extended US$20 million in aid to help the Balinese overcome the impact of the Oct. 12 bomb blasts, which killed more than 190 people, mostly foreign tourists.

"The assistance was distributed through several international organizations, the Australian Red Cross, Singaporean Red Cross and the Indonesian Red Cross," IFRC secretary-general Didier Cherpitel said here on Friday.

Briefing the media after signing a cooperation agreement with the government, Cherpitel said the IFRC was not focusing its humanitarian assistance only on Bali.

"We are also assisting people who have fled to safer places following the eruption of Mt. Papandayan," he said.

On the agreement, Cherpitel said it would provide a legal basis for the IFRC to continue its mission in Indonesia.

"Since 1998, the IFRC has had a country delegate in Indonesia to help PMI empower local groups in dealing with natural disasters," he said. --Antara