MEDIA RELEASE
MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS
ALEXANDER DOWNER
AA 00 040 05 Oct 2000
I am pleased to announce that Australia will provide a further $1 million towards food and relief assistance for people affected by the ongoing civil unrest.
The security and humanitarian situation in Ambon and the Maluku provinces remains of deep concern. Australia regrets the ongoing loss of life and destruction of property. We continue to discuss the issue with the Government of Indonesia.
Since the escalation of civil disturbance in January 1999, it is estimated that more than 2,500 people have been killed and more than 5,000 injured. More than 400,000 people have been displaced and over 18,000 houses and 1,000 public buildings destroyed.
Australia will assist the relief activities implemented by Action contre la Faim (AcF), an international non-government organisation, including to provide food and medical supplies to an estimated 200,000 beneficiaries. AcF have a long standing and well established humanitarian operation in Maluku.
This brings the Government's commitment to relief efforts in the Malukus over the past 18 months to $6.4 million. Australia stands ready to offer further assistance when the situation stabilises.
Media contacts:
James Baker (Ministerial) 02 6277 7500 / 0419 206 890
Fionna Douglas (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 / 0412 804 489
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