§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment her Department has made of the humanitarian effects of the recent earthquake in Sumatra. [125019]
§ Clare ShortThe worst affected areas are Bengkulu and Lampung Provinces and the island of Enggano. Over 100 people are confirmed as dead and a further 700 people have been injured. These figures are likely to rise. There has been extensive damage to housing and public buildings, including Bengkulu city hospital. Communication with the Bengkulu area is extremely difficult as the telephone system is down and access has been restricted due to damage to the airport, major roads and bridges. However, initial reports indicate that the damage was not as devastating as might have been expected, given the size of the earthquake.
The Indonesian authorities have rapidly mobilised civil and military assets to respond to the disaster and are supported by the local Red Cross Society. A six-person United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination team has been deployed to the region to assist with the relief effort.
My Department has contributed £250,000 for the purchase and distribution of relief items, such as shelter, blankets and the provision of clean water and first aid. This support is being channelled through the Red Cross and will target 140,000 of the worst affected people. We will continue to monitor the situation and stand ready to respond further to assessed needs.