18 nations offer help as Sulawesi quake displaces 48,000 people

An Indonesian flag fluttering in the midst of damaged homes in Palu, Central Sulawesi, yesterday. The province was hit by a magnitude-6.1 earthquake last Friday afternoon, before a stronger magnitude-7.4 temblor struck, triggering a 7m-high tsunami w
An Indonesian flag fluttering in the midst of damaged homes in Palu, Central Sulawesi, yesterday. The province was hit by a magnitude-6.1 earthquake last Friday afternoon, before a stronger magnitude-7.4 temblor struck, triggering a 7m-high tsunami which caused widespread devastation, flattening villages and housing estates. Since then, 254 aftershocks have been recorded. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Eighteen countries, including Singapore, have come forward with offers of aid for quake-ravaged areas in Central Sulawesi, as the search continues for those missing.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen yesterday became the latest Singapore leader to offer support to Indonesia, after Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the weekend.

Dr Ng said he has written to his Indonesian counterpart Ryamizard Ryacudu to assure him that the Singapore Armed Forces stands ready to provide humanitarian assistance, while Singapore's C-130s can be used to deliver help.

The number of people displaced by last Friday's magnitude-7.4 earthquake and tsunami in the provincial capital Palu and Donggala regency has risen to 48,000.

The lack of drinking water, food, fuel and electricity is adding to rising tensions among residents.

SPH Brightcove Video
Five days after disaster struck Indonesia's Sulawesi island, aid workers warn of increasing desperation in hard-hit outlying areas that have yet to get any help at all.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 02, 2018, with the headline 18 nations offer help as Sulawesi quake displaces 48,000 people. Subscribe