Tuesday, March 2, 2010
RI Donates US$1 Million for Chile Earthquake Victims
Source: ANTARA News


Jakarta - The Indonesian government has donated US$1 million in cash for victims of the powerful earthquake which devastated Chile recently.

The donation was symbolically presented by Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung laksono, who was accomapnied by Foreign Affairs Minister Marty Natalegawa and Social Affairs Minister Salim Segaf Al Jufrie, to Maria Fernanda Villa of the Chilean embassy here on Tuesday.

The donation was a manifestation of Indonesia`s solidarity and meant to help ease the victims` sufferings, Laksono said on the occasion.

The Chile earthquake reminded Indonesia of a similar natural disaster which devastated Aceh in 2004, he said.

Maria Fernanda Villa expressed her appreciation to the Indonesian government and people for the donation.

"I, on behalf of the Chilean people, express great gratitude for the Indonesian people`s assistance which reflects their solidarity and empathy towards us. It`s very touching," she said.

One of the biggest earthquakes in recorded history rocked Chile on Saturday (Feb. 27), killing more than 700 people, toppling buildings and freeways, and setting off sirens thousands of miles away as governments scrambled to protect coastal residents from the ensuing tsunami.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet declared parts of the country "catastrophe zones" in the wake of the magnitude 8.8 quake, which was centered offshore, about 70 miles north of the port city of Concepcion.