President sends Rp2 billion worth of logistics to Wasior

Antara News, Wednesday, October 6, 2010 21:25 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has sent logistical supplies worth Rp2 billion to wasior, West Papua, to alleviate the suffering of flood victims there.

"The President has sent aid to the flood victims," Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono said here on Wednesday.

Agung said the President was very concerned about the disaster and therefore had sent the aid.

The aid consists of clothes, blankets, medicines, food, mats, milk for under five children and other things.

"If all goes well the aid is expected to arrive in Wasior on Thursday," he said.

Agung said the President had asked all the ministries concerned to monitor developments in Wasior and take emergency response actions.

"I have been asked to keep coordinating the ministries concerned with the problem. The President said all ministries concerned must pay special attention to the victims and evacuees," he said.

He said according to the latest reports a total of 64 people had died and 91 were seriously wounded in the disaster.

Meanwhile, 68 people were lightly injured and 451 were still missing, he said.

He said 3,000 people had sought refuge in various places such as in Manokwari and Nabire.

Thirty-one houses had been heavily damaged and health facilities, schools, roads, bridges and a hotel had also been damaged.

"The Wasior airstrip is still inundated and cannot be used for landing and therefore my flight to Wasior has been postponed," he said.

He said the National Disaster Control Agency had sent three units of platoon tents, 80 family tents, 200 roll tents, 60 emergency beds, 500 pieces of clothes, 150 packages of baby and children supplies, 100 mats, 2,250 packages of instant food and 2,500 kilograms of medical supplies.

Heavy rains have fallen in the region from Sunday to Monday. Those who died in the disaster were likely because they had been sunk after being carried away by the flood that also carried with it logs and rocks from a lake in the mountain.