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.
I agree, why not post a thread (vanity) and see what people say. You could start a new wave. I will be happy to try to get through tommorrow on hannity, rush, et. al.
Your thoughts?
Meek, what are your thoughts on post #370? You're an alpha-FReeper. Do you thing theis could get legs to it with a little work?
Either we're on to something - or we're on something.
(?)
I say make the vanity post. I personally like the idea but without wind the sail goes nowhere. Some feedback from the FReepers can be a very useful tool. Ping me when it goes up, i am leaving work and heding home in about 10 minutes.
Trolls are lacking in mental capacity, you are not.
Humor is one thing and grief is another.
Ok. I just may have to do this.
Trolls are lacking in mental capacity, you are not.
Humor is one thing and grief is another.Huh? Did I find humor in these folks tragedy?
C'mon. I'm not heartless. My conscience is really huge.
Send me a Freep mail if you're serious. I can't imagine you think I'm a monster. Jeez.
Or just post it here, if you like.
hahahaaaaa! :^D
God Bless, Meek.
As things where before 
As things where before 
As things where before 
As things where before 
As things where before 
It is sad but you're right
Well, that is one sick puppy if you ask me. :^O
Thank you for posting those truly awesome pictures.
I hope you able to answer superskunk's question, what was going on in Aceh was not generally known.
aaaarrrrghhh.
God, have mercy, pleease, PLEASE.
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.