RP to deploy humanitarian team to Indonesia

President Arroyo ordered yesterday the immediate deployment of a Philippine humanitarian team to Indonesia following the quake on Saturday, which laid waste the south coast of Java island and left thousands dead or homeless.

"Indonesia and the Philippines are part of the same family of peace, harmony and security in this part of the world and we are deeply saddened," Mrs. Arroyo said.

"The government shall deploy a humanitarian team soonest to work side by side with the global relief effort," she said.

An "intense" earthquake was recorded in the northern Philippines late yesterday, with the epicenter placed at the Luzon Strait.

The magnitude of the quake, in the vicinity of the Babuyan Islands, was estimated at 5.5 on the Richter scale. It was not immediately known whether there were any casualties or damage.

Mrs. Arroyo joined world leaders in sending messages of condolences and pledged emergency funds last weekend to aid relief efforts in Indonesia, reeling from a powerful earthquake that killed more than 4,000 people.

"On behalf of the Filipino people, I extend our sympathies to the people of Indonesia who have suffered great loss and pain in the face of this tragedy. We are deeply saddened," the Chief Executive said.

The President said the international community should help Indonesia, in the same way foreign governments assisted the Philippines following the deadly landslide that buried an entire farming village in Southern Leyte last February.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is checking if there were Filipinos among the quake victims, Mrs. Arroyo said, promising to help them if there are any.

The Philippines was among the Asian countries that also sent a group of doctors and civic workers to Indonesia when it was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami in 2004.

"We must act to help others, and be prepared on our own, in times of need," Mrs. Arroyo said.

Lawmakers said the Philippine government is under obligation to send a humanitarian and medical team to Indonesia.

While the Philippines cannot offer much financial help, Parañaque City Rep. Eduardo Zialcita and Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella said it can provide expertise in dealing with the tragedy.

Mrs. Arroyo said the earthquake that hit Indonesia last Saturday was a wake-up call for authorities to work with the private sector in upgrading the country’s disaster management capabilities.

As photos and footage emerged of stunned, anguished survivors limping through crumbled buildings, the global community immediately offered millions of dollars, tons of supplies and hundreds of trained personnel.

Expressions of solidarity and offers of help came from capitals from London to Beijing, while government emergency services and international aid groups geared up for immediate dispatch.

UN Secretary General Kofi Annan led those expressing grief and offering up aid following the quake on Saturday.

"The secretary general is deeply saddened by the loss of life, the hundreds of injuries and the destruction suffered by the people of Indonesia," a UN spokesman said.

The Rome-based UN World Food Program said a UN plane with medicine and medical personnel was set to arrive Sunday, and that eight truckloads of food were on their way with fortified noodles and biscuits.

US President George W. Bush joined in the outpouring of sympathy, saying that Americans’ "thoughts and prayers are with the Indonesian people as they comfort all those affected by this terrible disaster."

Pope Benedict XVI also said he was "deeply saddened" to learn of the earthquake and was praying for the victims and their families, "invoking eternal peace upon the deceased and divine comfort and consolation on all who are suffering," according to a message released by the Vatican.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies issued an emergency appeal for nearly $10 million to support the rescue operations, triggering offers from Western and Asian states.

The United States upped its aid offer late Saturday to $2.5 million – from an initial $500,000 donation – after Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono gave Bush an appraisal of the situation on the ground.

China has offered two million dollars and "any assistance needed" on the ground where thousands were injured and some 200,000 feared displaced.

Urgent needs

Neighboring Malaysia also joined the Philippines in sending a search and rescue team and medical supplies, along with Japan and Singapore.

Over the weekend, Malaysia sent about 300 disaster relief experts, five doctors, several paramedics and a ton of food, blankets and other essentials.

A 15-strong team of doctors, nurses and rescue officials from South Korea left for Indonesia later yesterday.

The South Korean government also pledged a donation of $100,000 worth of emergency medical gear.

Asian Development Bank president Haruhiko Kuroda also pledged assistance.

Canada offered $1.8 million and a government spokesman said it "stands ready to help the victims by addressing their urgent humanitarian needs."

In neighboring Australia, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer offered 3 million Australian dollars (US$2.27 million) for emergency food, shelter and medical supplies. He said assessment teams would study whether more was needed.

"We are looking at what we can do to help," Downer said. "It may be that we’ll have to do quite a lot."

The European Union’s executive commission said it would release up to three million euros ($3.8 million) in emergency aid.

"I want to underline the willingness of the European Union to provide all the necessary assistance to the population affected by the disaster," said EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana.

The EU’s top humanitarian official, Commissioner Louis Michel, said the 25-nation bloc would fast-track aid decisions "to have immediate funding available."

Individual European leaders also voiced sympathy and pledged aid to Indonesia still struggling to recover from the Indian Ocean tsunami less than two years ago.

London offered $5.5 million while Ireland, Belgium and Greece donated $1.5 million between them.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by this tragedy and all the people of Indonesia," said British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Presidents Jacques Chirac of France and Giorgio Napolitano of Italy as well as Russian President Vladimir Putin also offered their condolences.

Queen Elizabeth II said she was "deeply saddened by the loss of life and devastation."

UN teams from different relief agencies were preparing for dispatch.

The United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination teams were on standby "to lend their assistance to efforts to respond to humanitarian needs created by the disaster and to mobilize international support for that response as required," a UN spokesman said.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said it was preparing emergency aid that included 2,000 tents and 9,000 tarpaulins, as well as water tanks and hygiene kits.

British-based aid agencies Save the Children and Oxfam have already mobilized along with rescue charity Rapid UK, whose specialist teams were used after earthquakes in Pakistan and Turkey.

Singapore said it was sending a 35-member medical team and a 43-member disaster assistance and rescue team, as well as three search dogs.

It has also pledged US$50,000 worth of emergency supplies.

Thailand’s foreign ministry said it plans to send aid and was set to decide on the details on Monday.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Helen Clark initially pledged NZ$500,000 (US$316,500), but said her country will give more if needed.

Outside Asia, the Red Cross appealed for 12 million Swiss francs (US$9.8 million) for survivors.

The Indonesian Red Cross, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, immediately mobilized more than 400 volunteers and staff, the Geneva-based federation said in a statement.

It said its experts in the quake zone said about 200,000 people have been left homeless. — With AFP, AP