RI welcomes foreign aid, troops to help quake victims

Adianto P. Simamora, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

The government asserted on Friday that it would openly welcome humanitarian aid offered by foreign countries as well as foreign military help, including troops, for the victims of Monday's earthquake that devastated Nias and Simeulue islands off the coast of North Sumatra and Aceh respectively.

The announcement was made by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirayuda during telephone conversations with his counterparts in several countries on Thursday night, according to Yuri Thamrin, a spokesman for the foreign ministry.

"Pak Hassan stressed that as the government was already conducting emergency relief operations in the tsunami-hit Aceh province, Indonesia would welcome foreign aid to help people on Nias and Simeulue islands," Yuri said on Friday.

U.S. Foreign Minister Condolezza Rice, Japan's Nobutaka Machimura and Thailand's Kantathi Suphamongkhon phoned Hassan on Thursday night offering aid and sympathy to the quake victims.

"Rice reiterated that the USS Mercy -- a floating hospital -- will return to work in the disaster area," Yuri said. The U.S. earlier pledged US$100.000 to help the quake victims.

The 8.7-magnitude earthquake killed an estimated 1,000 people on the two islands. The incident came only three months after the deadly tsunami hit Aceh and North Sumatra province and left over 200,000 people dead.

In responding to the quake, a number of heads of state -- U.S. President George W. Bush, Russia's Vladimir Putin, Japan's Junichiro Koizumi, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Australia's John Howard, South Africa's Thabo Mbeki, and Indian Prime Minister Man Mohan Singh -- contacted President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to convey their condolences and offered help for Nias, said Yuri.

Yuri said that Japan pledged to provide $150,000 in addition to an 11-member emergency medical team. Japan also sent $140,000 worth of blankets, generators, sleeping mats and tents.

Singapore sent three helicopters, 70 medical personnel and a Hercules plane.

Australia pledged A$1 million in financial assistance in addition to a naval ship, HMAS Kanimbla, and three aircraft to bring in a 30-member medical team.

The Philippines is also sending a humanitarian team to help the quake victims.

Russia sent a team consisting of 48 emergency workers, doctors and nurses, a mobile hospital and one aircraft to Nias.

China has committed to provide $500,000 to the quake areas while its International Red Cross pledged another $300,000.

India pledged $2 million to help quake victims, while Hungary sent two rescue teams.

"Some 14 flight clearances have been issued for foreign aircraft bringing in humanitarian relief to Nias and Simeulue islands," he said.