Indonesia Needs Help! WHERE is the PRESIDENT? [View All]

I can't believe they even have to ask for help. And I can't believe this number - can it be accurate?

WHERE IS THE PRESIDENT? It's INEXPLICABLE that he would be vacationing at this time.


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Indonesia Needs Help, Death Toll Expected To Exceed 400,000
December 30, 2004 22:50 PM


KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- The death toll in Acheh, the region worst hit by last Sunday's tsunami, may exceed 400,000 as many affected areas could still not be reached for search and rescue operations, Indonesia's Ambassador to Malaysia Drs H. Rusdihardjo said Thursday.

He said the estimate was based on air surveillance by Indonesian authorities who found no signs of life in places like Meulaboh, Pulau Simeulue and Tapak Tuan while several islands off the west coast of Sumatera had "disappeared".

He said the latest death toll of more than 40,000 in Acheh and northern Sumatera did not take into account the figures from the other areas, especially in the west of the region.

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"Looking at the scale of destruction, it's difficult to say when the search and rescue operations can be mounted in all affected areas," he said.

He said rescue efforts were hampered by transportation difficulties and lack of fuel.

Rusdihardjo said that at this time international help, especially in the form of medicines, clean water, food and clothing, were desperately needed by Indonesia to aid survivors in Acheh.

http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=111574

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