Posted on 12/30/2004 10:01:15 AM PST by 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.
The whole thing.
NOW you're freaking ME out.
It's been here too long to be trolls (I've noticed it since 9-11 while lurking).
It's sad, really.
Probably because the Mosque was the only building that was constructed well enough to survive.
You want to keep going Q and A style? Maybe you're the one who needs to read up. Oh, and here's a quote from a leader of the people you're apparently happy to see dead:
"Whether the attackers are acting on their own or on the orders of their governments, whether they are regulars or irregulars, if the attack is against civilians, then they must be considered as terrorists."
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia, Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) meeting.
Study up on your germ prevention! ;P
Adults and children (excluding babies since they don't know better) shouldn't be putting their hands in their mouths anyway unless they've washed them first.
Btw, I wasn't serious about nuking the black rock due to the germs when I said it. That would be overkill but I personally wouldn't kiss that black rock nor the Blarney Stone due to the germ factor.
Neither would I.
Have you ever lurked at DU?
That place is so vile. I actually saw people claiming that the world should be more upset since we have killed more people in Iraq than so far have died in Asia.
Serious. These people are sick.
Of course.
I used to post there, but got tired of getting banned for trying to be polite. I can't stand it there for very long either. Makes me feel the need to go soak in bleach.
I don't get into the inane Catholic-Protestant slap-fights.
Catholics believe in Jesus Christ and believe he is he son of God. That is simple fact.
They are just toooooooo far out. It's almost like Alice Through the Looking Glass, everything totally opposite the way most normal people see things.
If the rest of the US sees blue skies the DUer's and most Democrats see red skies.
I'm almost always proud to be a FReeper, but am truly ashamed to be associated with some of the posters who have vented their hatred in this thread!
"Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
Malaysian National News Agency, Bernama
http://www.bernama.com/
Indonesia Needs Help, Death Toll Expected to Exceed 400,000
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=111574
DU is basically a mirror image of the 5-10% lunatic, clueless fringe on FR, without the 90-95% of fairly sane and reasonable and knowledgeable people that FR has.
If you really want to freak yourself out go read Stormfront sometime. I feel like I have to take a shower the couple of times I went there. It's got sort of that rubbernecking fascination a bad car wreck has, though.
My thoughts too. I wish more people saw that kind of stuff. The rats would never ever have a chance again.
I got thrown out of there while trying to agree with someone.
I have gotten to the point in my own life where I don't even try to discuss politics or anything with liberals. They are so hateful. It happened on Christmas Eve. A few nut cases started about the war. I got up and left rather than interupt the hate fest. I thought it would be rude to the host.
The International Red Cross and various UN offices like the WHO will pad them even more, while wringing their hands in mock despair and demanding more money from us "stingy" Western nations before they can DO anything to help.
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