Indonesia
Vietnam
Burma
Caribbean
Indonesia
Indonesia has been hit by a series of natural disasters including an earthquake and tsunami in the Mentawai Islands and the eruption of the Mount Merapi volcano.
The Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd, on behalf of the Australian Government, has expressed his condolences to the people of Indonesia, particularly the affected communities.
As time goes on, the increasing severity of these disasters is becoming apparent. The tsunami has resulted in 454 deaths, and 43 people are still missing. More than 400 people were injured, and more than 15,000 people were displaced.
The volcano has reportedly left 322 people dead, and displaced almost 400,000 people–most of whom have now returned home.
In response, the Government of Indonesia has accepted an offer from the Australian Government for assistance.
On 2 November 2010 Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced Australia would double its assistance to Indonesia following these devastating events.
This includes $1.1 million in recovery assistance for non-government organisation SurfAid to help the Mentawai Islands over the next year.
This assistance will include support for health and psycho-social programs for affected communities as well as longer term emergency preparedness activities.
This is in addition to our initial support package of $1 million to:
- SurfAid for assessment, relief and recovery activities in the Mentawai Islands
- the Indonesian community organisations Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama to help local communities recover following the eruption
- the Indonesian Red Cross for humanitarian assistance in the Mentawai Islands and the Mount Merapi area.
There are many other active volcanoes in Indonesia–including Mount Bromo in East Java, which began emitting ash and smoke on 8 November. On 23 November the Government of Indonesia raised its alert to the highest level. Officials in Canberra and at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta are monitoring the situation closely.
Australia stands ready to assist further if Indonesia requires more support to address these tragic events.
More information
Stories from the Mentawai Islands
Vietnam–Heavy rains and flooding
During October, central Vietnam was effected by heavy rains and flooding.
On 18 October the International Federation of the Red Cross appealed to the international community for emergency assistance. In response, Australia will provide $200,000 in humanitarian support to help provide relief assistance to households in Quang Binh and Ha Tinh provinces.
Food, non-food relief items, water and sanitation, early recovery/livelihood support (distribution of seeds and fertilizer) and psychosocial support will be provided by the Vietnam Red Cross through the Australian Red Cross.
Burma–Cyclone Giri
Australia is providing a total of $3 million in emergency assistance to help the people of Burma following the damage caused by Cyclone Giri, which struck the Rakhine State on 22 October.
The cyclone killed 45 people, with estimates of at least 260,000 Burmese severely affected. There has been widespread damage to houses, crops, schools, roads and bridges.
Australia's assistance will help affected communities and families recover from the disaster and provide essential food, shelter, clean water and sanitation.
An immediate $200,000 was provided last month through the Australian Red Cross. The additional $2.8 million announced on 20 November will be delivered through the United Nations World Food Programme and Australian non-government organisations CARE Australia, Save the Children Fund, Oxfam Australia, Burnet Institute and the Australian Red Cross.
Media release [external website]
Caribbean
The direct threat to the Caribbean region from Hurricane Tomas is over and United Nations and other relief agencies are responding to the needs of affected populations.
The latest situation report from the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency states that the impact of Hurricane Tomas on Haiti "has been moderate".
Australia has provided an initial $200,000 in emergency assistance in response to the earlier impact of Hurricane Tomas on the Caribbean countries of St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
- Of this, $100,000 has been provided to the Red Cross to replenish emergency relief supplies in St Lucia and in St Vincent and the Grenadines.
- The remaining A$100,000 has been provided to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (the Agency) to assist with its immediate regional response effort.
Australian authorities continue to monitor the situation in the Caribbean closely, and Australia stands ready to provide further assistance as appropriate.