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Jokowi declares Indonesia open to foreign aid for Sulawesi earthquake
A number of countries have pledged to offer assistance in the form of money or personnel.
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Indonesian Military personnel at Halim Perdanakusuman Air Force base in East Jakarta load supplies onto a plane to be sent to assist relief efforts in Central Sulawesi on Sept. 29. (Antara/Muhammad Adimaja)
Indonesia has declared it will accept foreign aid following the deadly earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Central Sulawesi.
"Last night, President @jokowi authorized us to accept international help for urgent disaster-response [and] relief. I’m helping coordinate help from private sectors from around the world", said Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) head Thomas Lembong on his Twitter account @tomlembong at 8:37 a.m. Jakarta time, mentioning President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's account.
"Pls message me at my social media accounts or email: tom@bkpm.go.id
#PaluTsunami #PALUDONGGALA," Thomas further said on Monday morning.
Last night, President @jokowi authorized us to accept international help for urgent disaster-response & relief. I’m helping coordinate help from private sectors from around the world. Pls message me at my social media accounts or email: tom@bkpm.go.id#PaluTsunami #PALUDONGGALA
— Tom Lembong (@tomlembong) October 1, 2018
Tom told the press the President was preparing a presidential instruction to accept foreign aid.
A number of countries have pledged to offer assistance.
South Korea, for instance, has offered to disburse as much as US$1 million in humanitarian aid.
"The assistance is expected to ease the burden of the community following casualties and property losses," said the South Korean government in a press release on Sunday evening.
It is also considering deploying a search and rescue (SAR) team to the area. Nonetheless, the South Korean government would first consult with its relevant ministries and the Indonesian government, the press release added.
Separately, the European Commission announced that it had released an initial 1.5 million euros ($1.7 million) in emergency humanitarian assistance.
In addition, the Commission would also deploy a humanitarian expert to the area to help coordinate relief efforts and had also activated its emergency Copernicus satellite mapping service, according to a press release also released on Sunday evening.
"The Commission's 24/7 Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) is closely monitoring developments and stands ready to channel further support as required," it said.
I pray for our brothers and sisters, who were killed in an earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia, wish a speedy recovery to the wounded and offer my deepest condolences to the people of Indonesia.
Turkey is prepared to do everything in its power to help Indonesia heal its wounds.
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RT_Erdogan) September 30, 2018
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also promised to help Indonesia on his Twitter account on Sunday evening, Jakarta time. “Turkey is prepared to do everything in its power to help Indonesia heal its wounds,” he tweeted.
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake, followed by several deadly aftershocks, a tsunami and soil liquefaction, in Central Sulawesi has left at least 832 people dead, with 540 others injured as of Sunday, according to National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) data. A further 29 people have not yet been found. (evi)
