VZCZCXRO2754
OO RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHNH RUEHPB
DE RUEHBY #0810/01 1511035
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 311035Z MAY 06
FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4918
INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA IMMEDIATE 4988
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RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS IMMEDIATE 1135
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RUEHVI/AMEMBASSY VIENNA IMMEDIATE 0263
RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE IMMEDIATE 2593
RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH IMMEDIATE 1333
RUEHJA/AMCONSUL SURABAYA IMMEDIATE 0237
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY IMMEDIATE 0501
RHMFIUU/HQ USCENTCOM MACDILL AFB FL IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHHMUNA/CDR USPACOM HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS IMMEDIATE
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 1769
RHHMUNS/COMSOCPAC HONOLULU HI IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 CANBERRA 000810 
 
SIPDIS 
 
AIDAC 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MTS 
PACOM FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AEMR EAID PGOV PREF PREL AS ID
SUBJECT: INDONESIAN EARTHQUAKE: AUSTRALIAN AID UPDATE 
 
CANBERRA 00000810  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
¶1. (U) Australia has provided AUS$7.5 million (US$5.7 
million) in assistance in response the May 27 earthquake in 
Indonesia to date.  The lead agency for the Australian 
disaster relief effort, AusAID, had sent or was preparing to 
send more than 80 disaster, logistics and relief specialists 
to affected areas in Yogyakarta and Central Java, as of May 
31, including two medical teams, a critical infrastructure 
team and an essential services team, along with a coordinate 
team.  AusAID has prioritized the most urgent needs as 
medical supplies, medical and surgical support, food, water 
and sanitation, along with Indonesian Government-identified 
needs for antibiotics, blankets, tents, and food for 
children.  End Summary. 
 
EARTHQUAKE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT 
---------------------------- 
¶2. (U) AusAID, the Australian Government aid agency that has 
the lead in coordinating Australia's response to the May 27 
Indonesian earthquake, provided a May 31 update of 
Australia's response to the disaster.  AusAID assessed that 
the earthquake affected all districts of Yogyakarta and four 
districts of Central Java, with Bantul District of Yogyakarta 
and Klaten District of Central Java the hardest hit areas. 
The south and center of Yogyakarta city sustained significant 
structural damage.  In its report, AusAID noted that 
electricity had been restored in most of the affected areas, 
and the Yogyakarta airport had reopened, which would 
facilitate emergency response efforts.  The report updated 
the official death toll to 5,428 people, with up to 8,000 
injured and varying reports of between 100,000 and 200,000 
left homeless.  It noted that hospital and medical facilities 
had been overwhelmed. 
 
AUSTRALIAN RESPONSE 
------------------- 
¶3. (U) According to AusAID, on May 30 Australia increased to 
AUS$7.5 million (US$5.7 million) its commitment for critical 
humanitarian assistance to survivors of the earthquake.  This 
incorporated AUS$500,000 for the Indonesian Red Cross for 
medical teams, field hospitals, tents for displaced persons, 
field kitchens, medical supplies and equipment; and 
AUS$200,000 for orthopedic equipment.  The total aid package 
of AUS$7.5 million included: 
 
- $2.5 million for medical teams, equipment and consumables; 
 
- $0.5 million for engineering teams; 
 
- $4 million through UN and non-government organisations. 
This included assistance for emergency shelter and kitchens 
to feed quake victims; 
 
- $0.5 million for other needs as they were identified. 
 
¶4. (U) AusAID reported that a 27-person Australian medical 
team, led by an AusAID representative and comprising 
surgeons, anesthestists, operating staff, disaster medicine 
specialists and logisticians, arrived in Yogyakarta from 
Australia on May 31, accompanied by 12 tons of medical 
Quipment and supplies.  Previously, on May 30, Australia had 
mobilized a 15-member Indonesia-based medical team to 
commence emergency assessments and operations, and was 
providing medical, hospital and relief supplies, including 
AUS$200,00 of orthopedic instruments. 
 
¶5. (U) The Australian Government planned to send more than 80 
disaster experts to Yogyakarta as part of an expanded 
emergency response to Saturday's earthquake, including 
critical infrastructure and essential needs teams, comprising 
 
CANBERRA 00000810  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
engineers, electricians, water and sanitation experts, 
pharmacists, and logisticians. 
 
¶6. (U) AusAID staff, who had been on the ground in the 
affected areas since Saturday, were assessing needs, 
coordinating medical and other assistance and liaising with 
local authorities and the local and international media.  A 
nine-person AusAID advance deployment had arrived in 
Yogyakarta, including an Australian logistical adviser to 
assist the Government agencies in Yogyakarta. 
 
¶7. (U) An Australian consular response team had set up in the 
Yogyakarta Hyatt Hotel to assist Australian citizens.  AusAID 
reported that all Australians were accounted for, with no 
casualties reported, and thus the consular role was winding 
down. 
 
¶9. (U) Australia was providing funds and personnel through 
international aid agencies for relief needs, including 
funding to Muhammadiyah, an Indonesian NGO, as well as 
Australian NGOs and United Nations agencies to support 
medical and feeding programs in the worst affected areas. 
 
URGENT NEEDS 
------------ 
¶10. (U) AusAID had identified as the most urgent needs 
medical supplies, medical and surgical support, food and 
non-food items, water and sanitation.  It noted that the 
Indonesian Government had encouraged international 
assistance, and had indicated a preference for assistance in 
the form of antibiotics, food for children, blankets and 
tents. 
 
INTERNATIONAL RESPONSES AS REPORTED BY AUSAID 
--------------------------------------------- 
¶11. (U) According to the AusAID report, several international 
organizations had responsed to the earthquake: 
 
- OCHA had established an Information Center within the 
Government Office in Bantul. 
 
- A United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination 
(UNDAC) team of disaster management professionals had been 
deployed. 
 
- The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC), in 
conjunction with the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) had set up a 
field hospital in Bantul.  They were also delivering food, 
water, tents, and tarpaulins and transporting mobile medical 
teams where roads were passable. 
 
- WHO was assisting in establishing a disease surveillance 
system and measles vaccination program. 
 
- UNICEF had established a WATSAN office in Yogyakarta and 
was distributing water. 
 
- WFP had mobilized relief staff and was distributing 
fortified biscuits and noodles. 
 
- Oxfam was on the ground, providing clean water and 
essential supplies. 
 
- World Vision planned to distribute essential non-food 
items, including blankets, tarpaulins for shelter, clothing 
and medical supplies. 
 
STANTON