New Zealand Puts Up $5 Million for Aid in Indonesia

Wellington, MINA — New Zealand has deployed military aircraft carrying emergency supplies to earthquake and tsunami-struck Indonesia as part of a $NZ5 million ($A4.6 million) aid offer, AAP reported.

“The scale of the relief effort required following last week’s earthquake and tsunami is becoming increasingly apparent, and there are many people in need of urgent humanitarian assistance,” New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Thursday.

An NZ Defence Force Hercules aircraft carrying generators and water containers was on the way to Sulawesi, where the official death toll had risen to more than 1400, he said.

It comes as part of an increased aid package from New Zealand that also includes $NZ3 million for immediate funding for aid agencies on the ground and $1.5 million towards international relief and recovery work.

Australia announced on Wednesday it was sending more than 50 medical professionals to the area as part of a $A5 million aid package.  (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Ageny (MINA)