U.S. provides aid for bomb victims

JAKARTA: The U.S. government has donated US$150,000 toward providing medical assistance and ongoing trauma counseling for victims of the bombing outside the Australian Embassy on Sept. 9.

The bomb killed at least 10 people and injured more than 200 others.

The donation was made through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

"USAID is pleased to be working with AusAID, the International Catholic Migration Commission, trauma counseling Yayasan Pulih and others to reach out to the victims and families...," said USAID Indonesia mission director William Frej in a statement sent to The Jakarta Post.

The aid package includes support for a media campaign on the trauma-recovery process through the establishment of a hot line and e-counseling services for survivors, as well as a donation to the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) to improve its services. -- JP