Indonesia aids Australian flash flooding with $1 million

Indonesia aids Australian flash flooding with $1 million

2011-01-17 14:37:50 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, INDONESIA (BNO NEWS) -- The Government of Indonesia will be sending $1 million to help the relief efforts in Australia's Lockyer Valley flash flooding which has, according to the latest report, killed 18 people, the country's state-run Antara news agency reported on Monday.

"I have written to the National Disaster Mitigation Board (BNPB) to send $1 million in funds to Queensland," Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Agung Laksono said.

Laksono said the order was received directly from Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, adding that Australia has previously shown constant support in Indonesian disasters such as tsunamis and earthquakes.

With the aid, Laksono said the Indonesian government hoped it could help alleviate the financial burden of the victims. In addition to the victims, 22,000 homes in Brisbane, Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley reportedly remain without power.

On Thursday, Indonesia's Foreign Ministry said around 100 Indonesians had been evacuated from Australia due to the flooding. None of them were hurt.

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