May be more than 400,000 Dead In Indonesia says Indonesia's Ambassador

[bpilgrim]

Aceh

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 30 (Bernama) -- The death toll in Acheh, the region worst hit by last Sunday's tsunami, may exceed 400,000 as many affected areas could still not be reached for search and rescue operations, Indonesia's Ambassador to Malaysia Drs H. Rusdihardjo said Thursday.

He said the estimate was based on air surveillance by Indonesian authorities who found no signs of life in places like Meulaboh, Pulau Simeulue and Tapak Tuan while several islands off the west coast of Sumatera had "disappeared".

He said the latest death toll of more than 40,000 in Acheh and northern Sumatera did not take into account the figures from the other areas, especially in the west of the region.

"Aerial surveillance found the town of Meulaboh completely destroyed with only one buiding standing. The building, which belonged to the military, happens to be on a hill," he told reporters after receiving RM1 million in aid for Indonesia's Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund here Thursday.
Rusdihardjo said there were about 150,000 residents in Meulaboh, which was located 150km from the epicentre of the earthquake while Pulau Simeuleu had a population of 76,000.

more...
http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=72562

:cry:

peace

Bush on Vacation

[madison2000]

1. I can't get my mind around a number like that.

Its equal to many wars in a single day.

[Tinoire]

2. Horrible

I'm with you my friend. This is horrible. What a way to start the New Year... The worst part is the pain of the survivors... :(

[nostamj]

3. the story of Aceh province

will be unbearable amidst the unbearable.

[Cuban_Liberal]

4. Dear God!

I can't even comprehend that!

:cry:

[cruadin]

5. The scale of this is really difficult to grasp. One line in that...

wire copy---"several islands off the west coast of Sumatera had "disappeared"---sends chills up my spine.
I hope the squabbling between the * administration and the UN over who is going to coordinate aid resources doesn't become THE story. It would be so like the MSM to do that.
If ever there was a wake-up call for all people to put aside politics and posturing for the good of humanity, this is it.

[nostamj]

6. the 'scale' was so numbing....

it took this story to make it something I could get my mind around.

a four year old boy survives for two days in a tree following the Indian Ocean tsunami

Two days in a tree–
This is not the world I knew.
I am four years old.

Where is the sea's smell?
Dead rats make a stink like that.
I am four years old.

I am four years old.
She always had time for me.
Tell her I'm not lost.

Two days in a tree–
I thought I heard birds crying,
But heard friends crying.

Tell her I'm not lost–
After two days in a tree,
Now, I'm in a bed.

I am four years old–
And I can only tell them
The name I answer to.

I am four years old–
Should I smile for the bright lights?
Do I have more tears?

Tell her I'm not lost
And surround me with cousins
While I'm in this bed.

It stinks, underneath.
Outside of the room, rats rot.
Where's the sea's smell?

Two days in a tree–
This is not the world I knew.
I am four years old.

[bpilgrim]

8. so sad...

words aren't adequate :cry:

thanks for sharing and caring nostamj :loveya:

peace

[cruadin]

9. Powerful poem---thank you. n/t

[proud patriot]

7. I just don't know how much more my heart can take

:cry:

[Stephanie]

10. I posted the same

It's impossible to comprehend.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=2884086&mesg_id=2884086

[bpilgrim]

11. oops...

sorry bout that, i didn't see yours stephanie.

your right, it is uncomprensible...

mods can lock if they wish

peace

[Stephanie]

12. the more the better!

It's just incomprehensible - and Bush continues to fiddle. No words.