US Offers Additional US$3.6 Milion Aid to Victims of Central Sulawesi Eearthquake, Tsunami Tragedy

Petaling Jaya, MINA — The United States has announced an additional US$3.6mil (RM14.9mil) in humanitarian assistance to help those affected by the recent earthquake and tsunami that struck Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, The Star reported.

US Agency for International Development (USAID) spokesman Clayton M. McCleskey, in a statement on Sunday (Oct 7), said this brings the total US humanitarian assistance to the Sept 28 tragedy to US$3.7mil (RM15.3mil).

“As part of the response, USAID is airlifting 2,210 rolls of heavy-duty plastic sheeting from its emergency warehouses in Dubai and Malaysia, enough to provide for the emergency shelter needs of 110,500 people.

”A team of disaster experts from USAID is on the ground in Indonesia to conduct damage assessments and coordinate the US humanitarian response with local authorities, the Government of Indonesia, and humanitarian organisations,” he said in the statement.

“USAID has also requested the unique capabilities of the Indo-Pacific Command of the US Department of Defense, which has deployed three C-130 Hercules transport aircraft to support the agency’s efforts to deliver aid to people in need,” the statement said.

The United States stands with the people of Indonesia during this challenging time, and will continue to provide assistance to help those affected by this devastating disaster, McCleskey added. (T/RS5/RS1)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)