Hong Kong Red Cross Monitoring the Situation -- Several earthquakes have struck Indonesia since last night. Bengkulu and Padang (West Sumatra) were the hardest hit.

Contact: International Red Cross, 2507 7199, international@redcross.org.hk

BENGKUL, West Sumatra, Sept. 14 /Standard Newswire/ -- In Bengkulu and Padang, the Indonesia Red Cross Society (PMI) has established a field hospital and four emergency health posts. Three ambulances have already been mobilized to assist with evacuation of the injured. Based on initial information of needs from the field, the PMI Headquarters will send resources to the PMI Chapter in Bengkulu, such as 1,000 standard earthquake medical packages and 2,000 tarpaulins. Additionally, a number of 1,500 hygiene kits and 150 family kits will be disbursed from the PMI's warehouse in Padang, West Sumatera. The International Red Cross has received emergency funds of about HKD400,000 to distribute relief items, e.g. family kits, to the affected. "PMI has responded swiftly in dispatching assessment teams and setting up a field hospital after learning the experience from the tsunami relief and recovery operation since 2004," said Ms Fiona Ching, Red Cross Disaster Management Delegate based in Indonesia.

According to the International Red Cross, in Bengkulu, the electricity and communication line was cut off for a few hours but it has been restored. The local state hospital has suffered damage but is still able to provide services. Patients in another hospital in Padang, West Sumatera were also evacuated out of the hospital. A few fire incidents were also reported at a mall and several residential homes. Damage to a factory and a car showroom has also been reported.

The Hong Kong Red Cross field office in Indonesia and Sri Lanka were not affected by the earthquakes Hong Kong Red Cross remains in close contact with the International Red Cross and PMI to monitor situation, and standby for any required assistance.

The Hong Kong Red Cross was established in 1950 as a branch of the British Red Cross Society.  Since 1 July 1997, upon the return of Hong Kong's sovereignty to China, the Hong Kong Red Cross has changed its affiliation to become a highly autonomous branch of the Red Cross Society of China.