In a S$5-million project funded by Singapore's Temasek Holdings, the Singapore Red Cross Society and Mercy Relief have been working jointly with Indonesia's Aceh-Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency to modernise Meulaboh's only hospital.

The 80-bed Cut Nyak Dhien Meulaboh General Hospital will be upgraded in about a year's time into a 144-bed facility with clinical research laboratories and a radiology department to allow the hospital's staff to deliver better health care services to Meulaboh residents.

Just two hours after the quake struck Central Java, a five-member Singapore Red Cross team was already in one of the worst-hit areas, working non-stop to tend to injured villagers.

A 43-member Singapore Civil Defence Force team and a 35-member Singapore Armed Forces team also arrived, bringing rescue equipment as well as medical supplies, food and water. Working closely with Indonesian authortities, SCDF participated in rescue efforts while the SAF medical team helped to treat casualties.

More medical personnel together with US$200,000 of emergency supplies were also sent later. In addition, the Singapore Red Cross and Singapore banks have started donation drives. Non-profit organisation Jamiyah Singapore will also be airlifting supplies to victims.