March 7, 2007

Bahasa Indonesia

In the wake of the devastating earthquakes which killed dozens of people and drove thousands from their homes in West Sumatra, the United States Chargé d’Affaires, John Heffern, announced that he had authorized the expenditure of US$100,000 (approximately Rps 900 million) in emergency assistance to the people of West Sumatra .

The assistance will be disbursed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Mercy Corps, which will use $50,000 to provide emergency supplies such as hygiene kits, plastic sheets, jerry cans, cooking utensils, sleeping mats and other items which have been requested by local governments to provide immediate assistance to earthquake victims. The remaining $50,000 will be used for emergency response interventions to be determined most appropriate as damage assessments are made in the immediate aftermath of the quake.

Chargé Heffern extended sympathy to the thousands of people who are suffering from the widespread devastation, and emphasized that the rapid response of the provincial and local governments of West Sumatra greatly mitigated the suffering of the earthquake victims. “We look forward to working with the Indonesian authorities at all levels to help people overcome this disaster,” he said.

The U.S. Government and the Government of Indonesia recently signed several agreements totaling US$963 million in assistance over the next five years for programs that support Indonesia ’s democratic transition, economic growth, education reform and the delivery of basic human services. USAID also provides significant humanitarian and food assistance for internally displaced persons and victims of natural disasters.

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