Singapore Red Cross donates $50,000 towards rescue efforts in Jakarta

By Hoe Yeen Nie, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 07 February 2007 1638 hrs

SINGAPORE : The Singapore Red Cross has donated $50,000 to its sister organisation, Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI), towards its rescue and evacuation efforts in Jakarta.

More than 350,000 people have been left homeless since massive flooding plagued the Indonesian capital due to torrential rains.

Through "Rapid Response Teams", PMI has set up temporary shelters and field kitchens which provide meals to over 35,000 people in affected areas daily.

Other relief items include tents, life jackets, rice and instant noodles.

Plans are also underway to implement a system of distributing drinking water.

The Singapore Red Cross says the money will go towards supporting these rescue efforts.

Depending on PMI assessment, the SRC says a second phase of assistance, including vaccination programmes and distribution of medicine, is possible. - CNA /ls