ID :
84228
Mon, 10/12/2009 - 10:22
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/84228
The shortlink copeid
SMART AND MEDICAL TEAMS HALT AID MISSIONS SUNDAY
PADANG, Oct 12 (Bernama) -- All medical and the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart) teams Sunday halted their humanitarian aid missions in West Sumatra, especially in Padang and Pariaman, that was struck by a devastating earthquake on Sept 30.
Teams will return home by Oct 13.
Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the missions were stopped as
Indonesian and West Sumatra authorities were capable of helping the victims to
get on with their lives as normal.
"What they need is financial aid rather than physical help that is
sufficient with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and their own medical
teams along with aid from 26 countries that are helping," he told reporters here
Sunday after visiting areas hit by the earthquake.
He said the people in the affected areas still needed other aid especially
tents as now there were only 3,800 tents as opposed to the 50,000 needed.
Ahmad Zahid said however the government would not stop any NGOs from
continuing to help the quake victims.
"I wish to remind caring Malaysians to continue to channel aid. Fund
collections, be it by the mass media, print media, electronic media and
government departments, is to lighthen the burden of our brethren there.
Ahmad Zahid said the government will find the right mechansim to ensure that
aid meant for Padang and Pariaman reached the places quickly without any
hindrance.
He said construction firms that had an urgent building system through the
Industrial Building System (IBS) were encouraged to provide equipment to rebuild
schools and places of worship that were badly damaged.
"I have been informed that 1,500 classes needed to be rebuilt and 500
schools need to be repaired to allow students to continue their studies.
"I hope the private sector and NGOs who wish to help can coordinate their
efforts through the National Security Council and this will be discussed with
permission through the governor of West Sumatra and representatives of Padang so
that aid is hastened," he said.
-- BERNAMA
Teams will return home by Oct 13.
Defence Minister Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the missions were stopped as
Indonesian and West Sumatra authorities were capable of helping the victims to
get on with their lives as normal.
"What they need is financial aid rather than physical help that is
sufficient with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and their own medical
teams along with aid from 26 countries that are helping," he told reporters here
Sunday after visiting areas hit by the earthquake.
He said the people in the affected areas still needed other aid especially
tents as now there were only 3,800 tents as opposed to the 50,000 needed.
Ahmad Zahid said however the government would not stop any NGOs from
continuing to help the quake victims.
"I wish to remind caring Malaysians to continue to channel aid. Fund
collections, be it by the mass media, print media, electronic media and
government departments, is to lighthen the burden of our brethren there.
Ahmad Zahid said the government will find the right mechansim to ensure that
aid meant for Padang and Pariaman reached the places quickly without any
hindrance.
He said construction firms that had an urgent building system through the
Industrial Building System (IBS) were encouraged to provide equipment to rebuild
schools and places of worship that were badly damaged.
"I have been informed that 1,500 classes needed to be rebuilt and 500
schools need to be repaired to allow students to continue their studies.
"I hope the private sector and NGOs who wish to help can coordinate their
efforts through the National Security Council and this will be discussed with
permission through the governor of West Sumatra and representatives of Padang so
that aid is hastened," he said.
-- BERNAMA
