REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Three helicopters were deployed to distribute aid to victims of the earthquake and tsunami at hard-to-reach areas, such as Sigi and Donggala in Central Sulawesi, Vice President Jusuf Kalla stated. Of the three helicopters that distributed logistics aid to isolated areas, two are owned by the National Defense Forces, while the other belongs to the Indonesian Red Cross.
"Since yesterday, the three helicopters that we prepared have sent logistics supplies, such as food and bread, to areas that are difficult to reach, such as in Sigi and Donggala," Kalla remarked at the Vice Presidential Palace here on Thursday.
Efforts to deal with emergency response are the focus of the government at this time, which is evacuating survivors and retrieving the bodies of victims from the rubble of collapsed buildings. Furthermore, Kalla highlighted that the government's three main priorities during the emergency response period were to evacuate bodies, treat wounded victims, and finally provide logistical assistance to refugees.
"Yes, it is the initial stage to save the victims first. Hence, the emergency response aims to evacuate the dead victims, save the wounded victims by providing health aid, and distributing food to the living," the vice president explained.
Kalla remarked that for international assistance, the Government of Indonesia had granted entry permits for five countries -- Singapore, India, Australia, New Zealand, and Qatar -- until Thursday, while entry permits for Japan and the United States are still being processed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Meanwhile, German Government also has stated readiness to help the handling of the earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi impact, according to the needs and requests of Indonesian Government. “In principle, we are ready if we are asked to help. Whenever we receive a notification that we are needed, we will arrive in Indonesia in one day," said German Ambassador to Indonesia, Peter Schoof.
According to Schoof, Germany is ready to assist in the search and rescue of victims, purification of drinking water and the establishment of refugee shelters. Germany is also ready to send forensic experts to help identify dead victims.
"We have a team that is experienced in providing quick handling of post-disaster emergency conditions, including medical and forensic teams, which is a very difficult job given, because the big number of victims," Peter explained.
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