US delivering $3.7 million in aid to Indonesia earthquake, tsunami victims

As the death toll following a double tragedy in Indonesia tops 2,000, the U.S. Agency for International Development is sending millions of dollars in aid with the Air Force’s help.

A 7.5-magnitude earthquake shook Indonesia’s Sulawesi island on Sept. 28, causing a devastating tsunami. About 2,010 were reported dead, 10,680 were injured and nearly 83,000 were displaced as of Tuesday, according to a USAID fact sheet.

To help, the United States is sending $3.7 million in aid, including “2,210 rolls of heavy-duty plastic sheeting” for creating emergency shelters for about 110,500 people, the agency said.

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Evacuees prepare to board aircraft in Palu, Indonesia, Oct. 6, 2018. Thousands were displaced after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake and tsunami struck on Sept. 28, 2018.
JT MAY III/U.S. AIR FORCE PHOTO

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has deployed airmen and three C-130J Super Hercules cargo planes “to deliver aid and response staff,” according to USAID.

Airmen from the 36th Contingency Response Group at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and the 374th Airlift Wing at Yokota Air Base, Japan, arrived in Balikpapan, Indonesia, on Oct. 5, an Air Force statement said.

Photos posted to the U.S. Embassy Jakarta’s Twitter account show airmen loading countless boxes of supplies onto a tractor. The C-130Js had delivered almost 63 metric tons of relief supplies as of Wednesday, according to the USAID fact sheet.

Supplies being distributed include “emergency shelter kits, blankets, hygiene kits, solar-powered lamps, and other critical relief supplies,” according to a State Department blog post.

All relief efforts are being coordinated with Indonesia authorities, according to USAID.

“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,” the blog entry said.

https://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/us-delivering-3-7-million-in-aid-to-indonesia-earthquake-tsunami-victims-1.551119