In response to the request for international assistance made by the Indonesian government, Singapore has offered disaster relief assistance to victims of the earthquake that struck Bengkulu on 5 June 2000. A 20-member SAF medical team will be sent to Bengkulu together with despatched to Indonesia in three aircraft immediately. Singapore will also provide emergency medical supplies and tents worth S$50,000. to the earthquake victims in Bengkulu. The medical team and supplies will be despatched in three aircraft this afternoon.

In addition, Singapore is contributing an SAF doctor to the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) mission to Bengkulu, which is part of the UN’s disaster relief efforts for the earthquake victims.

The Singapore Embassy in Jakarta has been in contact with the Bengkulu provincial representative office in Jakarta to obtain information on whether any Singaporeans have been affected by the earthquake. So far, both MFA and the Singapore Embassy in Jakarta have not received any reports of Singaporeans having been injured in the earthquake.