I hope the assistance provided from America will provide some comfort until they can leave the evacuation centers."
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Robert O. Blake Jr. provided an additional US$200 thousand dollars for logistic support as part of the ongoing emergency response to the Mount Sinabung eruptions in North Sumatra.

"For those displaced from their homes, I hope the assistance provided from America will provide some comfort until they can leave the evacuation centers," noted Blake in an official press statement received here on Wednesday.

The U.S. government has been supporting operations and logistics through Indonesias National Disaster Management Agency, BNPB, as the agency continues to manage the emergency response to the Mt. Sinabung eruptions in Karo District, and assist those affected.

The funding is in addition to the $100 thousand released on February 6, to provide critical supplies to those displaced in the aftermath of the eruptions.

Through the U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance Office of the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID, this new contribution will support Indonesias disaster management agencys emergency logistics management of the Sinabung disaster.

The assistance will be used to train and mentor the agencys staff, and ensure effective emergency relief response to those displaced by the eruptions.

USAIDs on-going Volcano Disaster Assistance Program has been providing technical assistance and equipment to the Center of Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation, PVMBG, to strengthen volcano monitoring and response in the Sinabung area.

The equipment created a seismic monitoring network and was used by the PVMBG to establish three seismic field stations and a base station for real-time monitoring of the volcano and provide up-to-date information to the surrounding community, helping to save lives.
(Tz.A050/INE/KR-BSR/H-YH)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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