Indonesia thanks the world for post-tsunami support

The Indonesian government held a thanksgiving reception at Balai Sudirman Hall in Jakarta Thursday night for the participation of 34 countries and more than 600 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the emergency restoration efforts in Aceh and Nias in the wake of the tsunami in 2004.

"For all the support and care, the highest appreciation and words of heartfelt thanks are conveyed to all the Indonesian friends who have given their hand-in-hand support to building a better Aceh and Nias," Head of the Aceh and Nias Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency Kuntoro Mangkusubroto said.

According to Kuntoro, the global partnership came into being in the wake of the disaster, during the emergency restoration efforts up to still ongoing rehabilitation and reconstruction process.

Kuntoro said that during the emergency restoration efforts 34 countries were directly involved and sent more than 16,000 military personnel, 117 media teams, nine aircraft carriers, 14 warships, and scores of aircraft including helicopters.

Many circles believed that the emergency restoration operations in Aceh and Nias were the biggest non-combat military operations in history.