International relief efforts picked up today for survivors of the earthquake that killed more than 5,500 people on Indonesia's Java island, but many victims complained that vital aid was not reaching them.
Planes carrying supplies and foreign experts, including Japanese paramedics and a small contingent of US troops, reached the stricken region to supplement government aid and workers.
The paramedics and marines landed at the airport at the ancient royal capital of Yogyakarta, the main city in the affected area, which reopened to commercial traffic despite a heavily damaged terminal.
Amran, a three-year-old earthquake victim from Bantul, is cared for by his parents just before being x-rayed at a hospital in Yogyakarta, Central Java, today. Photograph: Reuters
UN officials say more than 22 countries have responded to Indonesia's call for help with aid or pledges of assistance, and more countries announced contributions in cash, goods or personnel throughout the day.
The quake's official death toll had reached 5,428 as today, according to the government's Social Affairs Department, and it had left more than 130,000 homeless by one estimate, many without shelter and short of food.
Villager walks as Mount Merapi is seen on the background with a huge cloud of hot gas Tuesday, May 30, 2006 as seen from Pekam village on the outskirts of Yogyakarta, the provincial capital of Central Java.
The social welfare head for Bantul region, Abu Dzarin, said there had been problems. "The first day, on Saturday, we didn't have anything. On Sunday we distributed thousands of kilograms of rice. . . . On Monday the aid started coming," he said. "The problem is that we are not receiving enough aid."
Not all the people seeking help are victims, he added.
Government and aid group officials say clean water and shelter are the immediate needs, as well as medical care. The United Nations is shipping three 100-bed field hospitals, tents, medical supplies and generators this week.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who moved his office temporarily to Yogyakarta, vowed yesterday all relief funds would be spent on quake victims. Indonesia is notorious for endemic corruption.
The government has set aside relief funds of 100 billion rupiah (€8.5 million) from now till August. A year of reconstruction and rehabilitation will begin after August, costing the government 1.1 trillion rupiah, he added.
The quake was the latest misfortune to hit the world's fourth-most populated country after Islamic militant bombings, bird flu outbreaks and the massive 2004 quake and tsunami. The quake initially heightened activity at nearby Mount Merapi volcano - already sporadically spouting for weeks - sparking fear of an imminent massive eruption.
Oxfam Ireland says it has earmarked €500,000 for relief operations in Java.
Oxfam teams have been providing clean drinking water, installing water tanks at three area hospitals, distributing tarpaulins for shelter and hygiene kits to prevent outbreak of disease among crowded makeshift camps that have sprung up around hospitals and communities surrounding the area.
"With estimates of 150,000-200,000 people homeless following the disaster, this is not going to be a quick-fix relief effort," said Oxfam's Country Programme Manager David MacDonald. . "Right now the focus continues to be on emergency help — but with a huge challenge ahead in co-ordinating the resources of agencies and governments to rebuild homes, and rebuild lives."