MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Downer
I am pleased to announce that Australia will provide an initial $1 million to
assist Indonesia tackle emergency problems resulting from the forest fires. I
discussed the Indonesian forest fires with the Indonesian Foreign Minister, Mr
Ali Alatas and informed him of Australia's assistance package during our meeting
in New York today.
The funds will be used to provide emergency medical and health supplies such
as pharmacueticals and basic first aid kits as well as other equipment such as
water filters and face masks to help with respiratory and other problems
associated with the fires.
In addition, I have instructed that two emergency response technical teams
with expertise in, respectively, fire management and health matters arrive in
Indonesia by the end of the week.
The teams will help organize and distribute the emergency medical aid.
Further, they will make an expert assessment of the fire and haze situation and
the related health consequences and needs. At the request of the Indonesian
Government, they will advise on the responses made to date by relevant
Indonesian agencies, including their emergency management procedures. They will
also liaise with technical advisers from other donors so as to ensure
international coordination in conjunction with the Indonesian Government.
I have also instructed AusAID to investigate whether Australia can assist in
aerial water bombing.
This action follows on Senator Hill's offer to Indonesia on behalf of the
Australian Government at the recent ASEAN Environment Minister's meeting in
Jakarta to assist in whatever way will be most beneficial.
Following a decision by the Indonesian Government as to the way in which
Australia could best help and my discussions with Mr Alatas, I am pleased
Australia is able to significantly assist Indonesia deal with this major
environmental and humanitarian situation.
The fires emergency has been exacerbated by drought conditions in parts of
Indonesia, particularly Irian Jaya, and by an earthquake in Sulawesi over the
weekend. Australia's emergency assistance may also be used to relieve the
suffering experienced by local populations in these provinces.
In the longer term, Australia remains committed to working closely with the
Indonesian Government to provide technical assistance in sustainable forestry
and land management to avoid a recurrence of this year's crisis. Therefore I
have further offered to field a team of Australian technical experts to
investigate what wider assistance can be provided by Australia in these areas.
NEW YORK
Media contacts: Greg Hunt (Minister's Office) 212 339 4906/
1 917 9524 (mobile) Claude Rakisits (Australian Mission) 212 836 4077 / 1 917
699 1431 (mobile) Innes Willox (Minister's office) 02 6277 7500 / 0411 414 695
Geoff Adlide (AusAID) 02 6206 4967 / 0417 683 126