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.