SECRETARY-GENERAL DISTRESSED BY INDONESIAN FLOOD DEATHS DISASTER

SECRETARY-GENERAL DISTRESSED BY INDONESIAN FLOOD DEATHS DISASTER

Following is a statement issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General has learned with distress that large scale flash flooding hit northern Sumatra in the Republic of Indonesia.  The Secretary-General is deeply saddened by the loss of 74 lives and the extensive damage that resulted from the disaster.  He wishes to convey his condolences and deepest sympathy to the Government of the Republic of Indonesia and to the victims of the disaster.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has been in contact with the Indonesian authorities through its field office in Jakarta, and has deployed a team of two professional staff to the site to help local authorities with the coordination of emergency response.

* *** *