BANDA ACEH, Jan. 4 --Antara-AsiaNet/InfoQuest Entering the 9th day of the earthquake/tsunami response in Aceh and North Sumater, the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) is concentrating its operation in Meulaboh, the most severely affected area. Since 29th December 2004, PMI Volunteer Corps (KSR), Satgana (Disaster Response Team), Special Disaster Response Team (Tim Khusus) and Medical Team have gradually entered Meulaboh. Meanwhile, assistance from international community keeps flowing inthrough the International Federation (International Federation of the RedCross and the Red Crescent Societies) and the ICRC (InternationalCommittee of the Red Cross). The international aids come in form offunding and goods and have reached USD 1,152,250 (including 1 million USDfrom Total E&P Indonesia and Inpex Coorp.) and Rp. 14,445,676,503. Today(3/1), the Canadian Government has pledged to donate a 650,000 CanadianDollars worth of goods to PMI for rehabilitation of the Blood TransfusionUnit in Aceh, relief item procurement as well as clean water facilities.The relief items consists of family kit, hygiene kit, instant food,mineral water, disinfectant sprayer, evacuation equipments (body bags,masks, gloves, and boots), as well as Vsat telecommunication equipments,distributed through Banda Aceh and Meulaboh in the last 3 days. The reliefitems and the volunteers enjoyed air transportation from RPX and landtransportation by caravans, supported by Bank Indonesia and DHL. In Meulaboh, PMI volunteers have evacuated and buried 1,389 bodies andprovided mass health service for 500 people in the displacement camp.Subsequently, on Tuesday (4/1), 2 orthopedics and 9 nurses from the KoreanRed Cross will arrive. In Aceh Besar, 12,000 corpses have been buried. Thelocal volunteers dispersed relief to 10,000 people in the emergency postsand conducted medical treatment in 5 displacement camps for approximately20,000 people. The mass medical treatment is conducted with the support ofRS Islam and China doctors. PMI in cooperation with the ICRC, International Federation, Bank Indonesia and the Kuwait Embassy plans to establish field hospital (ERU/EmergencyResponse Unit) in Banda Aceh and Meulaboh. Within this week, the BasicHealthcare ERU from Japan will arrive in Meulaboh. The InternationalFederation has deployed FACT (Field Assessment and Coordination Team) tocarry out comprehensive assessment in Aceh Jaya and Aceh Barat district aswell as in Simeleu islands by helicopter. To support PMI program in Aceh and North Sumatra, PMI has mobilized atleast 508 volunteers coming from various PMI Chapters, cooperating with 50ICRC staff including 10 expatriates spread out in Banda Aceh, Meulaboh andLhokseumawe. For those who would like to donate, or seek information on latestcondition on location, volunteering, tracing lost family members, andrelief distribution carried out so far by PMI, please contact PMI hotlineat +62-21-7992325 ext. 402, +62-21-7944588, +62-21-7944559, fax+62-21-794-4633 or e-mail [email protected]. For further information, please contact PMI Public Relations, c.o. Mrs. Aswi Nugroho at +62-811-918034 (Mobile). SOURCE: Indonesian Red Cross --Distributed by AsiaNet (www.asianetnews.net)--