JAKARTA, Dec. 28--Antara-AsiaNet/InfoQuest
The Japanese government has decided to provide 39 million yen (approx.
370,000 US dollars, or 351 billion rupiah) to the Indonesian government in
connection with the earthquake and tsunami which struck Nanggroe Aceh
Darussalam province on Sunday morning, December 26.
The Japanese embassy in Jakarta in a press release on Monday said the
relief assistance worth 26 million yen consisting of 100 power generators, 28
field nets, 3,000 blankets, 300 mattresses, 20 water purification apparatuses,
20 water tanks, and 300 jerrycans.
In the meantime, another relief aid of 13 million yen (about 12,000 US
dollars, or 117 billion rupiah) provided through the Japanese non-governmental
organization "Peace Winds Japan" was given in the form of drinking water, food,
frying oil and other such daily needs.
In addition, the Japanese government has also decided to send a 2-member
coordination team to ensure that the aid reaches the right recipients and
consider further assistance.
The Japanese government decided to give the assistance on the basis of
humanitarian considerations, especially the close relationship between Japan
and Indonesia.
The press release also said that the Japanese government has given relief
aid to Indonesia on three different occasions, namely 36.80 million yen (some
350,000 US dollars, or Rp 331 billion) for victims of a killer earthquake which
struck Alor regency in East Nusa Tenggara province, and twice for quake victims
in Nabire regency, Papua province.
In the meantime, the Australian government has agreed on a budget
allocation of A$ 10 million for emergency aid operations in the countries
struck by the tsunami.
The lion's share of the relief assistance is expected to be disbursed
through international aid institutes like the Red Cross and United Nations
humanitarian institutions and agencies, a press release issued by Foreign
Minister Alexander Downer Antara has received from the Australian embassy on
Monday.
Australia is now still collecting information on the damage and urgent
needs of the disaster-stricken areas.
The press release also said that Australia is still considering all
possible alternative assistance, including direct assistance by emergency
supplies.
Media Contact:
Saidulkarnain Ishak,
Chief of Antara Bureau in Aceh,
Tel: +62-8126-982535
SOURCE: Antara News Agency
--Distributed by AsiaNet (www.asianetnews.net)--