United Nations relief agencies, governments, and charities have launched a major humanitarian aid effort, including the dispatch of surgical and medical teams and supplies, to help thousands of people in urgent need in earthquake hit west Sumatra.

Christine South, operations coordinator for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said that additional medical staff, including surgeons, GPs, and nurses, were needed.

Elizabeth Byrs, spokeswoman for the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, said that immediate needs included medical supplies and personnel, hygiene kits, petrol generators, and heavy equipment to support search and rescue efforts.

Emergency shelter equipment is another top priority, and thousands of tents are needed, said UN relief experts.

On 4 October Indonesia’s National Disaster Management Agency said that the …