RIYADH/YOGYAKARTA, 28 May 2006 — News of yesterday morning’s earthquake in Indonesia that has claimed thousands of lives and injured thousands more was met with both shock and somber expressions of condolences by the Kingdom’s citizens and expatriates.
The Indonesian Embassy has made an urgent appeal to Indonesians working in Saudi Arabia to donate funds for quake victims. The embassy telephone numbers are: 01-488-2800 and 01-488-2131.
“The mission has issued an appeal asking Indonesian workers to collect funds for the quake victims,” said Arif Suyoko, a spokesman for the embassy, yesterday. “The Indonesian missions in Riyadh and Jeddah had been gearing up to send aid and relief materials to Jakarta, while monitoring every moment the news of the quake.” Suyoko said they were waiting for instructions from Jakarta before implementing a system for collecting funds or making official appeals for help.
The 6.2-magnitude earthquake struck at 5.54 a.m. near Yogyakarta, in the district of Bantul, approximately 400 kilometers east of the capital Jakarta. Scientists are also concerned over aftershocks and increased activity in the crater of the volatile Mount Merapi following the quake.
More than 630,000 Indonesians live and work in Saudi Arabia. Embassy officials say they will be answeringing questions to the best of their abilities. Indonesian workers can alternatively call Yogyakarta at 00-62-81310129186 for more information or call medical facilities in Indonesia at 0062-811264030, 24112077 and 24710671 to inquire about loved ones.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono went on national television and radio to quell worries about a repeat of the tragic 2004 Southeast Asian tsunami, still fresh on the minds of many Indonesians. The president also called in the army to help evacuate and rescue the injured. Residents have been seen digging mass graves near rows of corpses.
Yogyakarta is about 30 kilometers from the sea and in the chaos that followed the quake false rumors of an impending tsunami sent thousands of people fleeing to higher ground in cars and on motorbikes or even on foot.
President Yudhoyono arrived in the densely populated Central Java province in the afternoon with a team of Cabinet ministers to oversee rescue operations, a spokesman for the Indonesian Consulate in Jeddah said. The consulate is awaiting the arrival of a new consul general.
“The numbers of the dead and injured just keep rising,” the spokesman added. The Red Cross reports that at least 3,560 people are dead and 3,400 have been injured. The number of dead and injured is expected to rise.
Professor Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), offered his condolences and sentiments to the Indonesian leadership and people, praying for the quake victims. Ihsanoglu appealed to all the OIC member states and Islamic relief organizations to come to the rescue and lend all assistance to the republic at this critical moment.
Muhammad Noor, an Indonesian consulate employee in Jeddah, said he tried his best to contact some of his relatives and friends in the quake-hit region. “But I failed to establish contact with anyone,” he said.
Many roads and bridges were destroyed. Another Indonesian Consulate staff member said that houses, hotels and government buildings collapsed during and after the quake, sending people running through the streets.
Referring to the Indonesian government’s efforts to extend aid and relief to the victims, he said relief and rescue crews and medical teams had been mobilized.
Relief flights had to be diverted from Yogyakarta to the nearby city of Solo because of damage to that city’s airport runway. Yudi Naryadi, a Garuda Indonesia airlines manager in the Kingdom’s Central Province, spoke about the huge extent of loss of life and property.
“I was extremely sorry to hear the sad news and I plead with my fellow countrymen to stand united in this hour of grief,” said Naryadi. “I know that sitting down here in and simply mulling the situation will not go anywhere in helping but I am certain a prayer for those who still stand a chance will go a long way.” He also said that Garuda flights to Indonesian destinations except to Yugyokarta had not been disrupted.
Reacting to the news of the quake, M. Fouzi, an Indonesian executive, said he learned about the quake in a phone call to his wife back home. “Many roads and bridges were destroyed, hindering efforts to get taxis and pickup trucks filled with wounded to packed hospitals,” he said.
There are reports, said the Indonesia executive, that rows of corpses await burial there in Central Java, while officials are counting the heads to add them to the death toll figure.
“I feel extremely pained to hear the mass destruction of life and property,” said an Indonesian domestic helper. “I sincerely pray along with millions of other Indonesians, that souls of our dear departed ones may rest in peace and paradise.”
“I express my deepest condolences to all who were affected by the quake,” said Arif Jamal, a Pakistani travel agent married to an Indonesian woman, who returned from Indonesia yesterday. “It is indeed a human tragedy beyond description and I share my own and my family’s deep grief. What has happened is an enormous tragedy — individually and collectively.”
The devastating earthquake prompted swift offers of aid and condolences from around the world. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan led those expressing sadness and said a UN disaster response team was ready to help.
“The secretary-general is deeply saddened by the loss of life, the hundreds of injuries and the destruction suffered by the people of Indonesia,” a UN spokesman said.
Britain and France also offered a quick response to the disaster.
“We’re geared up to give any help that is required as soon we’re asked to, and when we are asked we will respond very very quickly,” said British Secretary of State for International Development Hilary Benn. Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his condolences along with Chinese President Hu Jintao and Italian President Giorgio Napolitano.
The European Commission said it would release up to $3.8 million in emergency aid.
“We are ready to help the victims of this tragedy and recognize how important it is to do it as speedily as possible,” said EU Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel.
Spain also said it was ready to respond to requests for help and that Spain’s emergency system was standing by.
In Rome, the Italian government decided to send a plane of emergency aid while Norway announced an emergency medical team would leave today. Turkey’s emergency response team was already close at hand, having been stationed in Indonesia since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster.
Individual offers of aid also came from Britain, France, the Czech Republic Greece and Switzerland, as the Red Cross reported that more than 200,000 people were displaced. The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, said it was preparing emergency aid for survivors including 2,000 tents and 9,000 tarpaulins. Japan said it was sending a relief team and was ready to provide aid.
“If the government of Indonesia makes a formal request, we will respond,” a Foreign Ministry official said. “The Japanese government is always ready to help.” Malaysia, which neighbors Indonesia, said it would send a search and rescue team and medical supplies.
— With input from agencies and K.S. Ramkumar in Jeddah
