Indonesia Needs Help, Death Toll Expected To Exceed 400,000

Drudge Report ^ | 12/30/04

[Keith Burwell]

Indonesia Needs Help, Death Toll Expected To Exceed 400,000 Thu Dec 30 2004 12:52:01 ET

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- The death toll in Acheh, the region worst hit by last Sunday's tsunami, may exceed 400,000 as many affected areas could still not be reached for search and rescue operations, Indonesia's Ambassador to Malaysia Drs H. Rusdihardjo said Thursday.

He said the estimate was based on air surveillance by Indonesian authorities who found no signs of life in places like Meulaboh, Pulau Simeulue and Tapak Tuan while several islands off the west coast of Sumatera had "disappeared".

He said the latest death toll of more than 40,000 in Acheh and northern Sumatera did not take into account the figures from the other areas, especially in the west of the region.

"Aerial surveillance found the town of Meulaboh completely destroyed with only one buiding standing. The building, which belonged to the military, happens to be on a hill," he told reporters after receiving RM1 million in aid for Indonesia's Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund here Thursday.

Rusdihardjo said there were about 150,000 residents in Meulaboh, which was located 150km from the epicentre of the earthquake while Pulau Simeuleu had a population of 76,000.

The contributions were from several corporate giants.

Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), represented by Chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid, gave RM200,000; Guthrie, represented by Chief Executive Officer Datuk Abdul Wahab Maskan, gave RM200,000; Golden Hope Plantations Berhad, represented by Group Director for Corporate, Legal and Public Affairs Norlin Abdul Samad, gave RM200,000; Maybank, represented by Head of Public Affairs Wan Norhiyati Ibrahim, gave RM200,000 and Sime Darby Group's Motor Division, represented by Director Yip Jon Khiam, also gave RM200,000.

Ahmad Sarji also handed over a PNB contribution to Utusan's Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund, which was received by Utusan Melayu (Malaysia) Executive Chairman Tan Sri Hashim Makarudin to help Malaysian tsunami victims.

Ambassador Rusdihardjo said a combination of earthquake and tsunami had left 80 to 100 per cent of infrastructure in Acheh province, such as hospitals, health centres, transport and communication networks and homes, destroyed.

"Looking at the scale of destruction, it's difficult to say when the search and rescue operations can be mounted in all affected areas," he said.

He said rescue efforts were hampered by transportation difficulties and lack of fuel.

Rusdihardjo said that at this time international help, especially in the form of medicines, clean water, food and clothing, were desperately needed by Indonesia to aid survivors in Acheh.

"Now we are worried about the outbreak of diseases such as cholera, the work of disposing corpses and the absence of clean water following the contamination of water sources," he said.

[pageonetoo]

Did you miss that?

Not all Catholics are Christians...

[cake_crumb]

"Read before you post. I was responding to #89. Tell me what's incorrect about 89."

Tell me what is correct about it.

[Freedom Dignity n Honor]

Actually, I'd nuke that black stone just on the germ factor alone. I don't see how all those millions can kiss that stone and not spread more diseases than they do.

[Centurion2000]

I truly hate Islam. In spite of that, my prayers and sympathies go out to the suffering people there and elsewhere.

Thanks for expressing that. I feel the same way, but now is not the time for it. Prayers for the victims here.

[Howlin]

OMG, I agree 100 percent!

And not just DU; I believe UN people are here, too! All kinds of Move-on-ers.

[notigar]

yeah, I remember how many of the 9/11 attackers were from these beach communities.

[sukhoi-30mki]

oops,sorry,I meant that for a poster who was talking bout Buddhists in Aceh.Not for you!!

[notigar]

I doubt it. More like Stormfront. I don't think a DUer could fake that.

[cake_crumb]

Actrually it was #97, not #89 you were replying to, which was in response to your # 92, which was deleted

[G32]

Excuse me, you claimed it's incorrect, it's up to you to defend your claim.

[Cheetah1]

Financial Donations You can help those affected by the floods and countless other crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance, and other support to those in need. Donate online or call toll free 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-257-7575 for Spanish speakers) or you can mail in your gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

To Donate Online











AmeriCares is preparing emergency relief flights that will focus on bringing medicines and medical supplies, water purification treatments and other types of assistance to the affected areas. Reports indicate that more than 50,000 people have been killed by powerful tsunamis caused by a 9.0 earthquake near Sumatra. Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India have the greatest number of casualties, and the death toll is expected to grow even higher.

Your donation is essential and will be applied to relief efforts in this crisis

To Donate Online










Emergency: Earthquake in South Asia
December 27, 2004 In response to the earthquake and tsunamis that have devastated parts of South Asia over the past weekend, Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is preparing to provide emergency assistance to people affected by the disaster. MSF is readying a full charter of relief supplies for the area of Indonesia closest to the epicentre of the earthquake.


In addition, MSF medical teams are on the ground in Sri Lanka, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Myanmar assessing emergency needs and offering assistance. MSF field teams in all countries where MSF is present, including Somalia and Kenya, are also investigating damage from the disaster.

To Donate Online

[notigar]

Shaking hands is just as bad.

[Strategerist]

Yep-a lot of Arab nations are sending aid.Saudi Arabia,Iran,the UAE etc have all pledged millions.

Oh, a lot of people on FR never let the facts get in the way of one of their little fits.

A bunch of people were posting rants about their assumption that wealthy Arab countries were not sending aid. Then there was an article posted about 10 million coming from Saudi Arabia. Then people had a massive fit it was only "10 million" when Saudi Arabia "is so much wealthier than us." Then I pointed out that per capita Americans are three times wealthier than Saudis and that per person Saudi Arabia has sent more aid so far than we have (though if you factor in the operating costs of our naval ships on the way I'm sure we'd pull ahead - but the point of this isn't some microanalyzed financial competition anyway.)

It didn't seem to have much effect.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"I wonder what kind of economic impact this will have."

Good question. When the Thai ringgit (IIRC) collapsed almost a decade ago, it had some serious global economic effects.

[cake_crumb]

"The crassness and vulgarity would make Clinton blush."

Oddly enough, I agree with you. It wouldn't stop old Bubba from making USE of such folks, but he'd definitely blush while doing it

[superskunk]

I feel the same way, but now is not the time for it. Prayers for the victims here.

I just didn't want my sympathy for the victims to be confused with an endorsement of Islam. I didn't mean to sound hateful. Thanks for your input on it. God bless.

[Strategerist]

I doubt it. More like Stormfront. I don't think a DUer could fake that.

I haven't seen the Stormfront idiots attempting to post in a couple of months.

I really doubt any of the more rabid anti-Muslim stuff on here is from DU. It's too prevelent and comes from people signed up for fairly long periods (in most cases.)

[Clara Lou]

A Garth Brooks sings a song comes to mind.
That's twice on this thread that you've let other people express your thoughts for you. The first one got deleted, and I'd be willing to bet that the second one doesn't share your ugly opinion.

[bjs1779]

"Anyone know of any disaster worse then this on record if it reaches 400,000? ...."

I think the 1970 cyclone in Bangladesh was estimated between 300,000 and 500,000.

[G32]

They removed my 92 which I think was saying I agreed with 89.