NZ aid workers rally to help quake victims

New Zealand embassy staff and non-government organisations are assessing what help New Zealand can offer the earthquake-stricken Indonesian city of Yogyakarta.

More than 5000 people were killed and thousands injured just before noon on Saturday (NZT), when the magnitude 6.2 quake struck the ancient royal city, which lies about 440km east of the capital, Jakarta.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman Brad Tattersfield said today that two New Zealand embassy staff had finished checking all the major hospitals and had confirmed that no New Zealanders had been killed or injured in the disaster.

A locally-engaged worker with New Zealand's international aid agency, NZAID, was currently assessing how New Zealand aid could best be deployed.

The Government has announced a $500,000 initial aid contribution to assist with relief efforts and aid agencies are calling on New Zealanders to dig deep.

Fortunately many aid agencies were already deployed in the area in preparation for a possible volcanic eruption.

A spokeswoman for Caritas New Zealand, Anna Sussmilch, said relief operations had begun almost immediately because many workers were already on site with the impending threat from Mount Merapi.

"They were able to swing into action straight away," she said this morning.

A meeting was held last night with partner organisations from different countries, including Oxfam, Save The Children and the Red Cross, to work out the best use of resources.

"At the moment they are using our network of parishes to distribute food, blankets, clothing and medical supplies - a lot of people are sheltering in churches."

Donations from New Zealanders were "trickling in", she said, but it was hoped that the funds would start to build as the news reached more people.

How to help

People can give to the Indonesian earthquake relief effort by:

Calling Red Cross on 0900 33 200 to make an automatic $20 donation, or via the Red Cross website.

Calling Oxfam on 0800 400 666 or or via the Oxfam website.

Calling World Vision on 0800 802 000.

Calling TEAR Fund on 0800 800 777 or via the TEAR Fund website.


- NZPA