The Indonesian Embassy is appreciative and deeply heartened by the kind words of simpathy and prayers from President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary Hillary Clinton, as well as many of our American friends in the wake of tsunami tragedy in Mentawai Islands and volcanic eruption in Mount Merapi in Central Java. These two disasters thus far have claimed some 370 lives, hundreds missing and thousands to be displaced from their homes.
Geographically, Indonesia is located on what is called a "ring of fire". This "ring of fire" has 452 volcanoes and is home to 75% of the world's active and dormant volcanoes - more than 100 active volcanoes are found in Indonesia. Our country has had many natural disasters ranging from earthquakes, tsunami, forest fires and volcanic eruption, but the Indonesian people have also shown remarkable resilience in coping with such disasters.
Presently, the Indonesian National Disaster Management Agency are now doing all they can to help the disaster victims in Mentawai and Merapi, and to speedily deliver humanitarian assistance to the affected areas. The Agency is working closely with Indonesian troops, local governments and hundreds of volunteers. Our priority now is to conduct the emergency relief operation to save the survivors, which will then be followed by long-term efforts to return those affected to a life of normalcy.
In the case of Mount Merapi eruption, the Geological Agency (Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources) will continue our beneficial cooperation with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to monitor volcanic activities in Indonesia and in advancing scientific and technological cooperation on volcanology. This cooperation is in line with the spirit of US - Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership and reflects the close relations between the Government and peoples of the two countries.
In response to enquiries from the Indonesian community in the United States and American friends who are interested to help the disaster victims, we recommend you to contact the following organizations :
- Indonesian Red Cross (Palang Merah Indonesia)
www.pmi.or.id
- Indonesian Relief-USA,
www.indonesiarelief-usa.org
