Relief operation still dogged by logistical hurdles

Relief operation still dogged by logistical hurdles

By Binny Buchori

BIAK, Irian Jaya (JP): Tons of food supplies for the survivors of this month's earthquake are piling up in Biak as the authorities struggle to distribute them to the intended recipients.

Only three helicopters are available to bring the supplies to the remote villagers on Biak Island and surrounding islets that were destroyed either by the powerful quake or the subsequent tidal waves on Feb. 17.

With land access cut off and the sea too rough for ordinary sailing, helicopters are the only means of reaching remote villages and smaller islands.

At least five huge tents have been set up at the headquarters of the disaster relief operation to accommodate the food, blankets and medicines that have been pouring into Biak.

Two rooms in the office of Biak Regency Chief Amandus Mansnembra were also filled with relief supplies.

The supplies were donated by the government, foreign governments and local and foreign private organizations.

The latest relief to arrive at Biak airport yesterday was flown in on board a U.S. Air Force transport plane from Guam.

Tandy Meinardi, program officer of the local office of the U.S. Agency for International Development said the Rp 600 million worth of supplies include tents, water tanks and blankets.

Irian Jaya Vice Governor Basyir Bachtiar received the USAID supplies on behalf of the government in Biak.

The quake, which measured 7.0 on the Richter scale, killed 107 people. More than 50 people have been reported missing. Biak itself was destroyed while villages along Biak Island coast and those on nearby smaller islands were swept by the tidal waves.

The three helicopters in Biak have been ferrying food to areas close to the town and have not yet ventured out to the far-flung territories.

Meanwhile a group of people from the islands managed to find their way to Biak yesterday, and were taking the food supplies themselves rather than waiting for the helicopter to arrive.

Biak residents who have received the supplies also complained of very small rationing. One family said they had been given three kilograms of rice and two packets of instant noodles and were told to make do with that for the next week.

Some islanders said that while the rice and noodles were welcome, they were not the Irianese staples of sagoo and sweet potato.

They also said that they needed tools to resume working and rebuild their homes, while their wives needed kitchen utensils.

None of these were included in the aid that is being sent to Biak, they said.

Biak officials meanwhile said that a big delegation from Jakarta, including nine cabinet members are expected to arrive in Biak on Thursday to inspect relief operations at first hand.