Several Countries Ready to Send Aircraft to Assist Indonesia With Relief Efforts: Wiranto
Jakarta. Chief Security Minister Wiranto said on Tuesday (02/10) that several countries offered to assist Indonesia by providing Lockheed C-130 Hercules cargo planes, which the government hopes will accelerate the delivery of emergency supplies to assist victims of last week's earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi.
Indonesia is in urgent need of aircraft to deliver emergency aid for victims in the affected areas – Palu, Donggala, Parigi Moutong and Sigi – because damaged road infrastructure currently hampers access.
The quake has also damaged one of the runways at Palu's Mutiara SIS Al-Jufrie Airport, which can now only accommodate aircraft that can land on less than 2,000 meters of runway.
"The C-130 aircraft we are using are capable of making short landings and takeoffs, but our aircraft are limited," Wiranto said at a press conference in Jakarta.
Indonesia announced on Monday that it was ready to accept international aid, though it noted that it would focus on countries that have made offers and have the capacity to provide timely assistance to the region.
The minister added that several countries, including Singapore, Malaysia, India, South Korea and the United States, have offered to send C-130 cargo planes to assist Indonesia.
"The planes made available by friendly countries will suffice and will be of great help to quickly deliver supplies to Palu," Wiranto said.
The government hopes that it can provide survivors with adequate food and water to ease their suffering and reduce the number of displaced people in the area.
The death toll from the twin disasters rose to 1,234 on Tuesday, and the number of injured to 799, while 99 people are still missing and 61,867 have been left homeless.
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