Thousands are estimated to be buried under the rubble in Indonesia after three large-scale quakes hit the island chain in the last month and a half.

TALLINN — On top of a 1 million krooni (€63,911) aid contribution, Estonia is sending an information technology expert to Indonesia along with the UN Disaster Assessment and Coordination team to support victims of the earthquake in Indonesia, the Foreign Ministry reported Friday.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet said an approximately 20-member Estonian rescue team will be sent to Indonesia.

“The help of the Estonian rescue team was highly valued in dealing with the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia and the 2005 earthquake in Pakistan. Estonia’s help is expected in Indonesia this time as well,” Paet said.

Paet said the situation in Indonesia is very complicated and the nation has asked for help in stabilizing the situation.

“We have decided to send an Estonian expert to Indonesia who will help the UN aid mission with information technology matters,” Paet said.

The Indonesian government issued a plea for aid to the international community for, among other things, rescue teams, medical supplies and personnel, medicines, foodstuffs and tents. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Aid has sent an assessment and coordination team to the region.

On Sept. 30 the West Sumatra province of Indonesia was hit by two powerful earthquakes. The regions that suffered the most are Padang, Pariaman and Mentawai. Estimates of the death toll vary, but the United Nations has said the 7.6-magnitude quake that struck last Wednesday night off the coast of Padang could have killed up to 3,000 people. Strong tremors have been felt in the region since, the latest being a 6.1-magnitude quake which was felt in West Papua on Sunday.

Authorities have all but given up on rescuing people and have begun spraying villages under rubble to stop the spread of disease emanating from the corpses. Search teams are still picking through the disaster zone, but experts say the chances of survival for those buried in are low after 72 hours.

“We can be sure that they are dead. So now we are waiting for burials,” Indonesian Vice President Jusuf Kalla said.

At least 500 buildings collapsed and thousands of people are feared to be trapped under the rubble. Because of heavy rains and flooding, thousand of people have been forced to leave their homes. Initial reports state that infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and telecommunication and water supply systems, have been badly damaged.