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.
That's simply incredible. Barring natural disasters, this should be the leading news story in every country in the world! (or at the very least our own country)
Thanks for the link. Stories like these really should be headline news.
I caught your whiff of sarcasim, and just wanted to add to it. I need to "grrrr" at the UN again.
Happy New Year - rather, Happier New Year!
true...at best all of these numbers are just wild guesses, right now. But past tsunami numbers show how devastating they are.
Incidentally I live in a tsunami area, on the Oregon coast.
They've done casualty projections here, on a big tsunami, and we could easily hit that 20,000 figure on the Oregon coastline alone.
Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim nation (in terms of population).
Praise The Lord.
"He said rescue efforts were hampered by transportation difficulties and lack of fuel."
- Translation: "The disaster was upon us so fast that we have yet to finalize the skimming agreement with our politicians before we can move the relief supplies".
Perhaps after shocks?
I am praying for all of you who are there....especially for those in Phuket. They need the love of Jesus Christ. Like Lot, they need to look forward, and not back. Could you tell us how you are suffering? You must have electricity, for you are on the computer. Did you have any high water there? Did you hear from your friends in Phuket? How can we help?
"I'll joke about bombing Mecca and nuking parts of the Arabian peninsula but that's just talk. This tsunami is serious."
I wish the Tsunami victims well. But nuking Mecca might very well be a rational option in the near future. If we were hit with a pocket nuke in New York, I think Mecca would be glass and I'm sure those plans have been examined.
Bumping.........
This will top that.
LOL! Thanks for the bit of levity in the midst of a very grave discussion.
Off topic: Does anyone know if Indonesia felt the earthquake? All I read or hear about is the effects of the tidal wave. Thanks
DU is desperately clinging to the hope that the election will be overturned and Kerry will be inaugurated on Jan. 20'th.
BTT - historic - Biblical proportion DEVASTATION - BUMP
Yes
THX.
You don't like my opinion so you call me names? Isn't that what liberals do?
"Emotionally" devastated, right? Having worked in Singapore for a couple of weeks, I was interested in hearing how that country fared; I read online that physically it wasn't affected beyond the tremors.
Just want to clarify, my friend. My condolences to you and your family and friends.
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