Thousands of desperate Indonesian quake survivors were still waiting for aid yesterday as they prepared for a fourth night under makeshift tents, despite pledges that help would come quickly.
The death toll from Saturday's powerful earthquake rose past 5,400, but the most urgent task was to get help to the remainder of the 200,000 displaced persons who had yet to receive medical aid or food.
As the world rallied by providing aid, emergency relief teams and cash pledges, the UN said the relief effort on Indonesia's main island of Java was largely under control -- but cautioned that problems remained.
Despite the ramped-up aid effort involving troops, volunteers and overseas medics, pockets of victims in the worst-hit areas south and east of the ancient city of Yogyakarta said they had not yet received badly-needed supplies.
Two religious groups in Taiwan said yesterday they are raising money and rushing aid to the earthquake victims.
The Buddhist Tzuchi Foundation is sending 450 tonnes of rice and emergency aid to devastated areas in Java.
"Tzuchi members have begun to distribute aid in the quake-stricken area. We have set up emergency clinics and mobile clinics to treat the injured. So far 300 locals have been treated, mostly for broken bones," Tzuchi said in a statement.
The Taiwan branch of the Christian group World Vision is also raising money and sending aid to Java.
Taiwan World Vision has sent 300 tents, 380 blankets, 400 sarongs and three trucks of food and medicine to the island.
The group said it has also sent a 10-member inspection group to assess the situation in the quake-stricken area to plan the second-phase of aid.
Meanwhile, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited survivors camping out near the damaged Prambanan Hindu temple complex early yesterday and pledged that food and medical aid would reach them soon.
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