Wave victims need cash

SURABAYA, East Java: Governor Basofi Soedirman called on those wanting to assist victims of the recent devastating tidal waves on the southern coasts to donate cash.

He said that medicines, food and clothing from donors have been "abundant," and that what the victims now need is cash to buy materials to rebuild their houses.

Authorities in charge of handling the relief operation in the aftermath of the tidal waves that swept through the Banyuwangi, Malang, Jember and Blitar regencies earlier this month will find it easier to manage money than goods, he said.

"There is no reason to suspect improper motives behind this call," he said as quoted by Antara.

According to the latest official figures, the death toll from the tidal waves is 222 and 23 others are still missing.

Local officials estimate that the total losses from the disaster spurred by an earthquake measuring 5.9 on the open-ended Richter scale reach Rp 4.7 billion (US$2.1 million).(pan)