Brussels - Following the severe earthquake that has hit Southeast Asia, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) is preparing an emergency intervention in a number of affected countries. Already ten MSF emergency workers have been mobilised to evaluate the needs in India, Malaysia and Indonesia. Today MSF offered its support to the Indonesian authorities to assist the population in the northern part of Sumatra island, the region closest to the earthquake's epicentre. Two staff are on stand-by to evaluate the needs. A further team of four will be ready to join them within 24 hours. A cargo plane carrying 32 tons of medical and sanitation materials for the MSF intervention will set of for Southeast Asia as soon as possible. This first batch of relief supplies will allow MSF to set up emergency interventions for between 30,000 and 40,000 people in the north of Sumatra.