Majalengka quake victims need aid, medical staff

JAKARTA (JP): Thousands of people made homeless after the 5.9- on-the-Richter-scale earthquake in Majalengka, West Java, are suffering from acute respiratory problems amid a lack of aid.

Majalengka Deputy Regent M. Iqbal said the local government was running short of food and medical supplies for the homeless victims. So far there was only a limited number of healthcare professionals available to help the victims.

"We really hope for more food, medicine and medical professionals to help us," Iqbal said as quoted by Antara on Sunday.

He added that the continuing cold weather and strong winds were spreading influenza and cough among those left homeless.

He said that so far most of the medical workers had come from the local Red Cross and a number of community health centers in the regency.

The earthquake severely damaged thousands of houses and public facilities, but no fatalities were reported.

Iqbal estimated material losses from the earthquake as being some Rp 59.4 billion (US$5.4million). However, property damage in remote areas had not yet been assessed.

Meanwhile, West Java police have distributed Rp 10 million and two tons of rice to the earthquake victims on Sunday.

A Rp 3 million donation was also presented by the Indonesian Large Motorbike Association (IMBI) to Iqbal on Sunday.

Aid in the form of two tons of rice and 175 boxes of instant noodles were also presented by Cirebon Police. (dja)