United Nations Radio

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has revised its appeal for 7 million Swiss francs to help victims of earthquakes which struck Indonesia last week.

Aftermath of Indonesian earthquakes

IFRC says it now needs 19 million Swiss francs, an equivalent of 18.5 million U.S. dollars to assist 100,000 survivors of the devastating earthquakes in West Sumatra over the next six months.

The agency says this revised appeal follows one week of simultaneous emergency relief work and assessment of the damage and needs of affected populations.

IFRC says the focus of the operation, led by the Indonesia Red Cross will be on relief, temporary shelter, restoring water and sanitation facilities and providing medical care as well as psychological support.

Citing latest reports, the IFRC estimates that more than 700 people have died, some 2,400 injured and hundreds are still missing following the earthquakes.

The agency says nearly 800,000 people are believed to have been affected by the two earthquakes which struck West Sumatra on 30 September and 1 October.

Gail Walker, United Nations Radio
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