Development minister Bert Koenders has released €500,000 in emergency aid for the victims of the earthquake on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. ‘Once again, the Indonesian people have been hit by a serious disaster. We must be ready to provide initial relief right away,’ Mr Koenders said.

An earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale hit the west coast of Sumatra on 30 September. It was followed by a second quake measuring 6.2. The Indonesian government has said that it would welcome international aid.

The Dutch contribution will help fund the relief work now being carried out by the Indonesian Red Cross. It will be used to purchase tents, blankets, sanitary towels, soap and cooking utensils.

As Mr Koenders pointed out, ‘It is vital for the people affected by the earthquake to receive help quickly. But access to the disaster area is very difficult. Many roads are impassable, and aid needs to be brought in by air. That makes the relief operation more expensive and more complicated’.

Dutch experts are among the members of the UN and EU teams that are helping Indonesia to identify needs and coordinate the international relief effort.



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