Emirates provides humanitarian aid to Indonesia
The United Arab Emirates Red Crescent (ERC) continues its operations to provide humanitarian aid to people affected by the recent earthquake that struck Indonesia in recent weeks.
The ERC delegation provided assistance to thousands of people affected by the earthquake in West Java, in coordination with the UAE Embassy in Jakarta and relevant provincial authorities.
This aid is part of a humanitarian programme carried out by the ERC, as directed by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, with the follow-up of Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al-Nahyan, the ruler's representative in the Al-Dhafra region and chairman of the Emirates Red Crescent (ERC), to support those affected by the earthquake and provide them with urgent assistance.
ERC Secretary General Dr Mohamed Ateeq al-Falahi said that the UAE leadership is always ready to consolidate the country's humanitarian, regional and international development role to provide the necessary aid to the people in need and affected by various disasters.
He added that Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed al-Nahyan is closely following the progress of ERC operations in the earthquake-affected areas. "ERC's initiatives embody the UAE's approach to provide all forms of humanitarian and development aid to the various countries of the world."
The assistance provided includes food and shelter materials, as well as all materials needed for precautionary measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the affected areas.
At least 78 people were killed and hundreds more injured after a 6.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi in mid-January.
Earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis are common in Indonesia due to its location on the "Ring of Fire", which is one of the most seismically active areas in the world.
In 2018, a magnitude 7.5 earthquake and a tsunami that followed in Palu in Sulawesi killed more than 4,000 people.
In December 2004, a magnitude 9.1 earthquake struck off the coast of Sumatra in the Indian Ocean and triggered a tsunami that killed some 230,000 people in the region, most of them in Indonesia.