In a meeting with the Indonesian Red Cross Society (PMI) on Tuesday, Representative of Taipei Economic and Trade Office (TETO) Jakarta, John C. Chen, announced that Taiwan Government has donated $250 thousand to PMI in order to support the relief efforts for victims of Lombok earthquakes.
In addition, the Taiwanese Community in Indonesia, represented by Wei-hsin Lai, the president of Indonesia Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce, has donated about $51 thousand to PMI to tide over the difficulties of earthquake victims.
Chen first conveyed the message of condolences and sympathy of the government and people of Taiwan. He noted that according to a proposal drafted by PMI, the money will help address the urgent needs of medical care and water supply of the people in Lomb
The funding will provide 2 ambulances, 1 medical clinic and related medical supplies and equipment, 1 water truck, and 10 water tanks, Chen remarked.
He also mentioned that when Indonesia was hit by natural disasters in the past, such as the 2004 tsunami in Aceh and the 2010 volcano eruption in Merapi, Taiwan had provided humanitarian assistance and helped reconstruct the affected regions.
Immediately after the Lombok earthquakes struck on Aug 5, Taiwan President Ing-wen Tsai offered her condolences and promised to help on Twitter.
"My thoughts are with the victims of the deadly earthquake in Lombok, Indonesia. Taiwan stands ready to help our Indonesian friends at this difficult time," Tsai tweeted in Indonesian.
Lombok continued to be hit by aftershocks. Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) reported two aftershocks at magnitude 5.4 and 6.5 on Aug 19.
According to a latest update from BNPB on Aug 15, the number of fatalities has climbed to 460. BNPB also recorded that 7,773 people were injured, 417,529 people were displaced, and 71.962 houses were damaged.
Editing by Azizah, Rahmad
Reporter: Chi Jo-yao
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
