May 28, 2006 - 9:18AM Australia has raised to $3 million the aid it is offering to help survivors of the earthquake that struck with a magnitude of 6.3 early yesterday, killing more than 3,500 people and injuring thousands more.
The quake shook the area around Indonesia's ancient royal city of Yogyakarta, on the main island of Java. Yesterday, Australia offered $1 million in immediate aid to the Red Cross and other aid agencies to help survivors of the earthquake. But today, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said: ``We're going to have to increase that by another $2 million to $3 million.'' Mr Downer said the government had sent three assessment teams to Java to investigate the scene of the quake and gauge the level of support needed. There were no immediate reports of Australians being injured in the devastating earthquake, he added. Defence Minister Brendan Nelson said Australia will offer Defence Force assistance to Indonesia, most likely to be in the form of medical aid. "Right across the government we're examining what we could offer to the Indonesian government," Dr Nelson told the Ten network. "Late last night I spoke to the Chief of Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, and I asked him to prepare, from the Defence perspective, what we could offer. "That would take the form of medical and other supplies." Medicine, biscuits and fortified noodles are being rushed to the quake-hit area as aid agencies pull together emergency supplies and world leaders offer help and their condolences. The international Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal for 12 million Swiss francs ($A12.9 million) for survivors of the powerful, 6.2-magnitude quake that killed thousands and injured thousands more on the island of Java. The Indonesian Red Cross, with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, immediately mobilised more than 400 volunteers and staff, the Geneva-based federation said in a statement. Red Cross medical experts and an assessment team also were sent to the earthquake zone, the federation said. About 200,000 people have been left homeless, the Red Cross said. The Rome-based UN World Food Program said a UN plane with medicine and medical personnel on board would arrive in central Indonesia tomorrow. Eight truckloads of food were also on their way with fortified noodles and biscuits. Spokeswoman Brenda Barton said the agency also planned to lead a rapid emergency assessment team to Java. Stocks were drawn from the Indonesian town of Solo, which is an hour from the main disaster centre and also was affected by the quake, she said. Sixteen medical personnel and 2,000 kg of medicine were to be flown from the World Food Program's operation in Aceh tomorrow. UNICEF said it was preparing to send emergency supplies to help victims and has deployed staff to assess the immediate needs of victims. The children's agency said it had emergency supplies of tents, hygiene kits, health kits and school supplies ready to be transported to the earthquake zone. These include 9,000 tarpaulins and almost 2,000 tents, as well as collapsible water tanks, hygiene kits and lanterns, the agency said in Geneva, Switzerland. Australian offered $A1 million in immediate aid to quake survivors. "Australia offers condolences to the families of the victims and stands ready to offer additional assistance if necessary," Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said. The EU today granted up to 3 million euros ($A5.06 million) in emergency aid to help Indonesia's quake victims. Javier Solana, the EU's foreign and security affairs chief, said: "I wish to express my condolences to all those who have suffered the consequences of the earthquake and have lost relatives and friends as well as their homes and properties. I feel very close to your grief in these difficult moments." Italian Premier Romano Prodi expressed his "deep sorrow" to relatives of the victims and to the Indonesian government, his office said. Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema ordered a plane loaded with 27 tonnes of humanitarian aid: tents, blankets, cooking sets for families, plastic sheeting, electric generators, pumps to drain water, water purification equipment and containers for drinking water. Switzerland said it would send two experts to the region and is donating $US100,000 ($A132,000) to the Indonesian Red Cross. The Italian Bishops Conference of the Catholic church, saying it was heeding an appeal by the pope to help the stricken people, said it was allocating 2 million ($A3.4 million) for aid. "Deeply saddened to learn of the devastating earthquake near Yogyakarta, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI prays for the victims and their grieving families, invoking eternal peace upon the deceased and divine comfort and consolation on all who are suffering," a telegram from the Vatican read. Benedict, who was in Poland today, encouraged "rescue workers and all those involved in providing medical assistance to the victims of this disaster to persevere in their efforts to bring relief and support". Leaders in Britain, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Pakistan and Spain also sent their condolences and offered to send aid and help if requested. "Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this tragedy and all of the people of Indonesia," British Prime Minister Tony Blair said in message to the Indonesian government that was released by his office. AP http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/australian-aid-increased-to-3m\ /2006/05/28/1148754855656.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1 ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> You can search right from your browser? It's easy and it's free. 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