Govt to send aid to flood-hit ASEAN neighbors

The government has announced plans to assist ASEAN countries that have been hit by heavy flooding, with Thailand reportedly suffering from the most damage.

“Of course Indonesia and the President will pay attention to the flood problems in Thailand. And with the President’s instruction, we have been in communication with the country to list its needs,” Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said Friday, as quoted by tribunnews.com.

Marty added that the Indonesian government, as the chair of ASEAN, along with the other members of the association, had committed send aid to countries hit by the floods.

“Yesterday, on behalf of ASEAN and Indonesia, we made a statement regarding the matter, saying we will know more about the country’s needs over the next few days. That way, the aid given would be according to their needs,” he said.

Floods that befell several countries in Southeast Asia since last Friday have left at least 244 people dead in Thailand alone.

Thai authorities said on Sunday that the floods had hit 28 provinces, afflicting most damage to the provinces of Ayutthaya, Lop Buri, Chai Nat and Nakhon.