Jakarta, (ANTARA News) - Damage caused to transportation infrastructure following the magnitude-7.4 earthquake and tsunami that hit Palu, Central Sulawesi, has hampered the distribution of logistical aid for victims, Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) Chairman Jusuf Kalla stated.

"The transportation infrastructure, including the airport and port, has been under restoration, and hopefully, it would become operational today or tomorrow," Kalla noted after attending the Regional Representatives Council anniversary here on Monday.

The PMI has deployed helicopter service to send the humanitarian aid, as the SIS Al-Jufrie airport runway was damaged.

"We have delivered water, medicines, doctors, and other necessities," he added.

The PMI has also deployed its personnel from the regional red cross in surrounding areas in South and West Sulawesi to help the victims of earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi.

The PMI has sent 32 personnel, five ambulances, two operational vehicles, a water tank, a Hagglund amphibious vehicle, a generator set, seven communication sets, stretchers, and tent.

It has distributed emergency logistics, including 200 blankets, 200 mats, 500 jerrycans, and 200 sarongs, from its warehouse in Makassar, South Sulawesi, and Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, and Rp100 million of emergency response fund.

The PMI has currently focused on the evacuation of victims.

According to the PMI, instant food, clean water, tents, blankets, and medicines are urgently needed at the location in addition to a field hospital, paramedics, electricity and communication line.

The magnitude-7.4 earthquake and subsequent tsunami that devastated Palu and Donggala, Central Sulawesi Province, on Sept 28 has claimed 1,203 lives and seriously injured 540.

Some 16,732 people were accommodated at evacuation camps in 123 locations in the city of Palu and the districts of Donggala, Sigi, and Parigi Moutong.

Reporting by Fransiska Ninditya
Editing by Sri Haryati, Bustanudin

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018