Dispatch of Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team in Response to the Disaster in Indonesia Caused by the Major Earthquake off the Coast of Sumatra and Tsunami in the Indian Ocean

December 29, 2004

1. As assistance for the Government of Indonesia in response to the disaster caused by the major earthquake off the coast of Sumatra and tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the Government of Japan decided on December 29 (Wednesday) to dispatch the Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team to Indonesia from December 30 for a two-week period. The medical team will be composed of 22 members, including one official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, three doctors, seven nurses.
   
   
2. According to an announcement made by the Government of Indonesia on December 29 at 9:00, it was estimated more than 27,000 people had been killed in Indonesia by the earthquake and tsunami. In addition, large numbers of people have been injured and displaced, amidst very bad sanitary conditions.
   
   
3. The Government of Indonesia on December 27 designated Vice President Muhammad Yusuf Kalla as Director of Disaster Headquarters, and while exerting all it can do to assist those affected, it is calling upon the international community for assistance in view of the enormous damage. As part of this call for assistance, the Government of Indonesia requested the Government of Japan to send a medical assistance team.
   
   
4. In response to this disaster, the Government of Japan already decided on December 27 to extend to the Government of Indonesia emergency assistance in kind, equivalent to 26 million yen in total, including tents, blankets, electric generators. This was followed on December 28 with a decision to extend emergency grant aid, 1.5 million dollars for emergency food supplies and medical equipment. Moreover, recognizing the severity of this disaster, a decision has been made to send additional aid in the dispatch of a Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team from a humanitarian standpoint and in view of the friendly relations between Japan and Indonesia.
   
   
5. The Japan Disaster Relief Medical Team departure schedule is as follows:
   December 30: 11:25 a.m. departure (JL725)

Related Information (Disaster Prevention and Relief)
Related Information (Japan-Indonesia Relations)