Residents of the Sidey district of the Manokwari regency, some 120 kilometers from Manokwari city, have been exposed to numerous illnesses following a 7.6 magnitude earthquake which hit on Jan 3., with five toddlers suffering from diarrhea and a number of adults contracting malaria and respiratory infections.

"Medical attendants at the Sidey community health center have so far treated five infants with diarrhea and adults showing signs of respiratory infections," Andarias Moktis, a medical attendant at the clinic told reporters.

A two-month old infant, Ones, who is suffering from diarrhea, slept soundly on the floor of the Sidey village hall as his mother Dina Waramuy and grandmother Welmina Krey sat nearby.

"He has been suffering from diarrhea over the past two days, but has been treated," Dina said.

She added that she had contracted a headache and was starting to catch a fever. "I also don't feel well," she said.

During their stay in makeshift tents, residents have been taking water from the nearby river to drink. "There is no firewood to cook. We drink water directly from the river," said Henri, another survivor.

As many as 45 families, or around 200 people in Sidey villages, have taken refuge from the quake.

Those who have the means can afford to buy tarpaulins to shelter them from the elements, but those who do not are forced to stay under the trees and shrubs and sleep on dried leaves.

"Due to such conditions, they easily fall sick, because they drink raw water and sleep without cover," local resident Andarisa Moktis said.

"We request immediate help. Relief aid is gathering in the city, but we are not cared for because we have not received assistance as of this moment," Henri, a local teacher, said.

Evacuees said they would return home only if the government officially stated that it was safe to do so, as they continue to feel mild tremors.

The official death toll from the quake currently stands at five, including Antonius Mansai, 65, who died on Jan. 5 at around 5 a.m. local time during a subsequent 5.5 magnitude quake.

"He died of shock. During the quake, he fell and died," West Papua Vice Governor Rahimin Katjong told reporters in Manokwari.

The other victims have been identified as Yolanda Mandosi (10) and Antonius Mansai (65) from Manokwari city; Dominggus Yekwan (36), Avit Yesnat (9), and Novelina Mofu (3) from Abun district, Sorong regency. They all died after being buried by rubble.

Meanwhile, the government claimed Tuesday that it had managed to deal with the impacts of the powerful earthquakes in Manokwari, the capital of West Papua.

After meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to report on mitigation efforts, Public Works Minister Djoko Kirmanto said that the central and provincial administration had jointly overcome the impacts of the earthquakes that started to hit the city early Sunday morning.

"The government was quick to respond to the earthquakes, that is why the mitigation efforts have run well and the destruction has not been really severe. The local administration also responded by immediately building makeshift shelters," Djoko told a press briefing at the presidential office.

Following the president's instruction, Djoko and three other ministers visited the region on Monday to deliver cash aid and supplies.

"We have disbursed Rp 2.25 billion ($US210,000) in cash along with food and medical supplies, ambulances and water purifiers," he said, adding that the government was still calculating losses.

The minister said the government would accelerate the reconstruction of damaged buildings and infrastructure in the coastal city, which included seven bridges and two roads.

"We have dispatched a team to monitor the damaged buildings and expect them to report the results within the next 10 days."

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