FOREIGN COUNTRIES, ORGANIZATIONS SHOW SYMPATHY TO LOMBOK QUAKE VICTIMS by Fardah

Jakarta, Aug 11, 2018 (Antara) - Indonesia is mourning after Lombok Island in West Nusa Tenggara had been devastated by deadly earthquakes of 6.4 magnitude on July 29, 7 magnitude on Aug 5, and 6.2 magnitude on Aug 9, 2018, respectively.

         The Aug 5 quake killed at least 387 people, caused dozens to go missing, injured, 13,88 and displaced 387,067; while the previous 6.4 magnitude earthquake claimed 16 lives, including a Malaysian tourist.

         None of the victims (of the Aug 5 quake) was foreigners, according to Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, spokesman of the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBN).

         The Indonesian foreign ministry recently briefed foreign envoys on the latest developments in Lombok, which is often packed with foreign tourists holidaying on the island resort, which is not less beautiful than Bali.   
    The ministry informed the foreign diplomats about rescue efforts, including the evacuation of the affected local residents and foreign tourists, from Lombok.

          Evacuation operations are crucial because aftershocks are expected to continue to jolt Lombok Island over the next four weeks. Since the Aug 5 quake, 451 aftershocks have been recorded, as of the morning of Aug 10.

         The foreign ministry has since established a "Foreign Visitor Help Desk" (FVHD) to assist foreigners seeking information related to the natural disaster and the whereabouts of their citizens staying on the island where thousands of buildings collapsed due to the natural disaster. 
     Additionally, the foreign envoys expressed their condolences and sympathies to families of the dead as well as to those injured in the natural disaster.

           They also praised the Indonesian government for its disaster mitigation and rescue efforts following the earthquake.

          The sufferings of Lombok earthquake victims have also attracted sympathy from other countries and international organizations.

             António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), said that he was ¿saddened by the devastating loss of life, injuries, and damage caused,¿ in a statement issued on Aug 6.

         "The Secretary-General extended his condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Indonesia, and wishes the injured a quick recovery," said the statement issued by his Spokesman, who added that "the United Nations stands ready to support ongoing rescue and relief efforts, if required."
      The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) on Aug 31 allocated relief aid to help the earthquake victims, and on Aug 2, it deployed a team to assess them in further needs.

           Following the Aug 5 powerful quake, IFRC redeployed a joint PMI (Indonesian Red Cross)-IFRC team to support assessments and identify emergency needs, as well as reassess responses required.

           "The earthquake caused widespread panic. Many people ran from their homes and stayed by the roadsides overnight. Hundreds of people were treated for injuries, some of them in the open air to avoid the risk of further injury," IFRC said on its website.

          IFRC is appealing for 8.9 million Swiss francs to help support 80 thousand of the most vulnerable survivors for 18 months.

           ¿This appeal will enable the Indonesian Red Cross and IFRC to support 80 thousand of the most vulnerable survivors for 18 months. The operation will include shelter, livelihoods, and basic needs; health; water; sanitation and hygiene; protection; and disaster risk reduction,¿ it said.

          Meanwhile, Malaysian news agency Bernama reported that all ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, are ready to send humanitarian aid to Lombok.

          Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah noted that the matter was stated in a letter to Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi through ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi on Aug 6.

          "In the joint statement, ASEAN foreign ministers have expressed their condolences and readiness to offer assistance to the government and the people of Indonesia following the earthquake in Lombok," he told a press conference after a flag-raising ceremony in conjunction with the 51st ASEAN Day celebrations at Wisma Putra on Aug 8.

        In Jakarta, Marsudi thanked foreign state leaders for expressing condolences and sympathy.

             "I thank all ASEAN member countries and friends outside of the South-East Asia region for the sympathy and condolences offered to the people and government of Indonesia, especially to families and victims of the Lombok earthquake," Marsudi remarked during the 51st Anniversary of the ASEAN on Aug 8.

             The Indonesian government has received condolences and sympathy from a number of country and international organization leaders, including Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Russian President Vladimir Putin, South Korea's President Moon Jae-in, Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, as well as Secretary General of the ASEAN Lim Jock Hoi.

             Such countries, she continued, have also expressed their readiness to provide aid, should Indonesia need any help in handling recovery after the earthquake.

             "These needs will greatly depend on the situation on the ground, and we will continue to coordinate with the Military Force, National Disaster Management Agency, and Commander of the Search and Rescue Agency," she stated.

         South Korea, for instance, has offered donation worth US$500 thousand (some Rp7.2 billion) for supporting recovery programs in Lombok.

            "I represent the Korean Government and want to deliver an emergency fund of $500 thousand to the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) to support rehabilitation programs in the earthquake-affected areas," South Korean Ambassador to Indonesia Kim Chang-beom said at the PMI Headquarters in Jakarta on Aug 10.

           The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has pledged a humanitarian fund of Rp1 billion ($1=Rp14,395) to help the Lombok quake victims, General Chairman of the Indonesian Council of Ulemas (MUI) Ma'ruf Amin revealed in Jakarta on Aug 9.

             "The Saudi Arabian ambassador to Indonesia has expressed his government's commitment to contribute humanitarian fund of Rp1 billion through MUI. 'Alhamdulillah' (Thank God)," he stated.

            The Japanese embassy in a statement said Abe has expressed deep sympathy to President Joko Widodo for the Lombok earthquake.

         Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono also expressed similar sympathy to his Indonesian counterpart Marsudi.

        The Japanese government also offered assistance for the Indonesian government.

        From Africa, Nigeria has also condoled with the people and the government of Indonesia over the earthquake.

       Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama expressed the sympathy when Indonesian Ambassador to Nigeria Harry Purwanto visited him in Abuja, the nation's capital, on Aug 7.

          On Aug 10, Widodo said the Indonesian Government is open to foreign assistance, but so far Indonesia has managed to handle it. 
     "Well, we are open to receive aid, because people there, indeed, need it. However, we are still able to overcome reconstruction of houses that have been damaged," he explained at a cabinet meeting.

          Widodo earlier expressed his intention to visit the region to inspect the situation, but "because aftershocks are still occurring, I have been advised to go there on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday."
     Security was the main factor behind the cancellation of his visit to the region.  ***4***
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