Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Australia provided A$5 million (about Rp54 billion) additional humanitarian aid to support Indonesia and other humanitarian partners to help Central Sulawesi`s people in dealing with the impacts of earthquakes and tsunami that hit Sept 28.

This additional aid was announced by Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Gary Quinlan through his Twitter account.

Australia will provide an additional A$5 million for humanitarian aid package to support Indonesia in handling the earthquake & tsunami. This fund will be used to provide tarpaulins, clean water, emergency supplies & health services. This additional aid follows the initial assistance of A$500,000 to @palangmerah. - Gary Quinlan (@DubesAustralia) October 3, 2018.

Earlier, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison had announced initial assistance of A$500 thousand (about Rp5.4 billion) that was channeled through the Indonesian Red Cross to provide food and other supplies, such as blankets and tarpaulins.

According to a press release from the Australian Embassy received by ANTARA here on Wednesday, additional funds to the United Nations and local humanitarian partners will be utilized to provide temporary shelter and access to drinking water and health services to those who were injured and displaced.

Australia plans to send a medical team and is currently working with the Indonesian government to determine where they will be placed.

Australia also provides humanitarian relief supplies, including shelters, water, and cleaning utilities.

Australia has offered Indonesia the Australian Defense Force assets to support every disaster response effort made by the government.

So far, Indonesian authorities are facing problems in assessing the overall impacts of the disasters due to difficulty in reaching some areas and damaged communication infrastructure.

"The Australian government stands together with the Government of Indonesia in providing assistance to the people affected by these disasters," the Australian Embassy stated.

Reporting by Yashinta Difa Pramudyani
Editing by Libertina, Yoseph Hariyadi

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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