MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
It is clear that a major human tragedy is unfolding after a severe undersea earthquake struck off the coast of Northern Sumatra early on 29 March.
The Australian Government extends its sympathy to the people of Indonesia.
We have immediately dispatched a five-person Australian medical team from Banda Aceh, including a surgeon, to the Indonesian island of Nias, which was badly affected by the earthquake.
We are in close contact with Indonesian officials and international partners to assess immediate needs of affected populations, and we stand ready to provide further humanitarian assistance.
Early reports put the number of fatalities at between one and two thousand. The earthquake occurred at 2.10am AEST and measured 8.7 on the Richter Scale and two subsequent aftershocks measured 6.0 and 6.7.
At the first meeting of the Joint Commission of the Australia Indonesia Partnership for Reconstruction and Development (AIPRD), which was held in Canberra on 17 March, Australian and Indonesian Ministers agreed to a $10 million program to strengthen Indonesia's disaster management and response systems and to build a closer partnership between the disaster coordination authorities in the two countries.
Occurring just three months after the disaster of 26 December, this most recent earthquake demonstrates just how vital this assistance will be.
The safety and welfare of Australians is one of the Australian Government's highest priorities. Our Consular Emergency Centre and overseas posts have been monitoring events from the time of the first alert.
Our Embassy in Jakarta and Honorary Consul in Medan are checking with local authorities, hospitals and tour operators to establish whether any Australians have been affected by the earthquake, particularly on Nias Island, a popular surf site.
All Australian Government personnel in Banda Aceh and Medan have been confirmed safe.
Media inquiries:
Chris Kenny (Mr Downer's Office) 0419 206 890
AusAID (Public Affairs) 0417 680 590