Tragedy unites Balinese and foreigners
Rita A. Widiadana and I Wayan Juniartha, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali
Help poured into Bali on Monday as the Balinese joined hands with people from many countries to help survivors of last Saturday's blast even as hospitals struggled with the mounting problem of scores of unidentified bodies.
Identifying the dead victims is now one of the priorities, in addition to taking care of the wounded survivors. However, the island's hospitals were obviously unprepared for a tragedy of this scale and bodies have started to decompose due to a lack of cold storage facilities.
Bali's Police Chief Brig. Gen. Budi Setyawan said hospitals badly needed the cool storage equipment to prevent the bodies from decomposing. Most of the victims died from serious burns.
"We need to accurately identify the bodies through DNA tests, finger printing and other types of identification as soon as possible," Budi said during a meeting between Balinese authorities and diplomats from those countries who were victimized.
So far only around 40 of the approximately 180 bodies had been identified due to the lack of evidence and equipment, he added.
The Australian government has pledged four units of ice storage while the British government will provide two. The British government has also promised to send medical equipment urgently needed by Sanglah General Hospital, Bali's largest hospital where most of the injured are being treated.
Singapore has also sent medical packages and a number of doctors to help the staff at Sanglah hospital.
The entire island was in mourning on Monday, with residents in Denpasar and many other cities raising the red-and-white flag at half mast to express their grief and sympathy with those affected by the tragedy.
Expatriates and tourists waited patiently in long lines to donate blood. Dozens of university students, housewives and employees volunteered to be translators and guides to help those that cannot speak Indonesian.
"I can't even imagine how miserable the victims must be. It is our obligation to help them, they are our brothers and sisters," said a Balinese woman who delivered a stack of pizzas from a restaurant to Sanglah hospital.
Meanwhile, hundreds of volunteers had launched campaigns to collect money and medication. Among them were members of the Rotary Club and the Bali International Women's Association.
Bali Governor I Dewa Made Beratha said that the provincial administration would cover all the medical expenses of the victims as well as their hotel bills.
"We are still waiting for the bills from all the hospitals and hotels and we will certainly pay them immediately. Please report to me if any of these hospitals charge the victims," the governor said.
Coordinating Minister for Social Affairs Jusuf Kalla, he said, would also provide financial assistance for the victims.
Made Beratha also used the occasion to express his gratitude to countries and organizations that had provided assistance to help Bali cope with the tragedy.
The Bali administration and the police have set up several crisis centers to provide the latest information on the condition of the victims to families, relatives or friends.
The centers are located at Sanglah General Hospital, Kuta Police station and Ngurah Rai Airport.
Budi added that a special unit at the crisis centers would provide assistance with insurance and diplomatic matters.
Crisis Centers:
Sanglah General Hospital: 62-361 257500; 243576;224671, Kuta Police Office: 62-361 751598, Ngurah Rai Airport: 62-361 751011--ext 5125, Foreign Affairs Ministry: 62-21 3856014 -- Contact person: Mr. Marty Natalegawa, For those who intend to give donations please transfer your money through Bank Pembangunan Daerah Account-010.22.01258-1