SYDNEY, May 28: Asian governments have joined countries around the world in scrambling to get food and supplies into Indonesian towns and cities pounded into rubble by Saturday’s earthquake that left thousands dead or homeless.
As photographs and footage emerged of stunned, anguished survivors limping over crumbled buildings, offers poured in of millions of dollars, tons of supplies and hundreds of personnel.
South Korea on Sunday rushed in 19 doctors and rescuers, and $100,000 worth of emergency medical gear, its foreign ministry said.
Malaysia has sent about 300 disaster relief experts, five doctors, several paramedics and a ton of food, blankets and other essential items.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Alexander Downer offered $2.27 million for emergency food, shelter and medical supplies, and may do more.
Japan said it was preparing to send relief goods and financial aid, and had already sent seven doctors and nurses. The Japanese Red Cross Society said it would contribute $896,000.
China offered $2 million in cash and said it would send rescue personnel and materials as needed.
Singapore said it was sending 78 medical, disaster and rescue workers, and search dogs. It has pledged $50,000 in emergency supplies. Thailand said it planned to send aid, deciding on details Monday.
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo ordered a humanitarian mission deployed to the quake zone. She did not immediately give further details.
New Zealand’s Prime Minister Helen Clark said her country would give $316,500.
The Asian Development Bank did not say if it would immediately send funds, but its President Haruhiko Kuroda assured Indonesia’s government of its ‘fullest support and cooperation in rebuilding lives.’’
Outside Asia, the Red Cross appealed for $9.8 million. The Indonesian Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have mobilized more than 400 volunteers and staff, the Geneva-based federation said in a statement.
It said its experts in the quake zone estimated that 200,000 people had been rendered homeless.
The World Food Programme said a UN plane with medicine and medical personnel was on its way, as were eight truckloads of fortified noodles and biscuits. Unicef said it was ready to send tents, hygiene kits, health kits and school supplies.
The European Union is granting up to $3.8 million in emergency aid.
Italy is sending a planeload of 27 tons of relief goods to Java.
Switzerland said it would send two experts and donate $100,000 to the Indonesian Red Cross.
Britain pledged $5.6 million to be channelled through the UN, and another $1.85 million through the Red Cross.
Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain also offered to help. —AP
