/humor
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.
It all depends on the off-shore topography. Diego Garcia was unscathed and it too is no more than a few feet above sea level; but the water deepens quickly off the Island. Tsunamis get destructive where there is continental shelf or gradually shallowing bottom, because the bottom slows the wave down and thus it grows in height in order to conserve energy.
Oops - clicked the wrong reply link it seems - tabbed browsing has its share of perils. (Short version: Never mind) ;)
You and me both.
MeekOneGOP, s/he's still alive and kickiin'.
Meek, VKs,
Just a thought here: I understand it is your sacred duty to grind trolls to dust, but on a thread as serious as this I'm reminded of how people acquire hushed voices whilst inside a church.
Perhaps the kitties can have supper quietly in the corner from time to time?
/humor
It IS a Christian religion.
But I guess it's safe to say not all professing Christians are genuine Christians.
God knows the heart... it's not up to us to judge, but we do need to test the Spirit!
Gee, I wonder how much Bin Laden and Al Qaeda will pledge for relief...????
I REALLY think the Bush Administration should rally on this.
Think about it - what a great way for us to show the world just what kind of group of thugs that they are !!!!!!
I sit corrected on row 369 beside the FemiNazi in horrid need of a dildo.
She smells like grease.
Please take it over there to the corner.
Damn I missed something good I see.
I missed it too, wonder what it was about? Can someone clean it up & print ?
Thanks for the ping. I was gone for awhile, so I guess I missed it.
bttt
How about calling into a radio show and pushing that theory?
K4
I'm almost afraid now for you to send posts to me.
Most of the people you post to always end up dead!
I'm scared......ROTFLMAO!!!
Thaz funny! :^D
..... on a thread as serious as this I'm reminded of how people acquire hushed voices whilst inside a church.Perhaps the kitties can have supper quietly in the corner from time to time?
Absolutely. As long as the Trolls agree to stay off our "serious" threads. :^D
"This should be pursued aggressively".
Hummm.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.