30.03.2005 - Article
First assessments on the island of Nias, Indonesia

Two SDC Humanitarian Aid experts, accompanied by a civil engineer from the Swiss Red Cross, arrived on the Indonesian island of Nias in the morning of Wednesday 30 March. A further logistician is to be dispatched from Switzerland.

The two SDC experts are the coordinator of the organisation's office in Banda Aceh and a water specialist on assignment in Meulaboh (western coast of Sumatra). On Wednesday they met with the local authorities and relief workers in Nias. They also contacted local and international non-governmental organisations with whom it will be possible to collaborate.
 
The  SDC's Humanitarian Aid coordinator confirmed that damage to buildings and infrastructure is extensive and that reconstruction and rehabilitation requirements are important. CHF 100,000 have been made available to purchase emergancy aid items where possible directly in Sumatra. If necessary, further material will also be dispatched from Switzerland.
 
In order to assist the logistics specialist already dispatched from Banda Aceh to Medan yesterday, a second logistician has been enlisted. He is to leave Switzerland tomorrow and will be operational on location at the end of this week. The two specialists are to find necessary goods and bring them as soon as possible to the island of Nias.