The Red Cross is appealing for donations for the Indonesia earthquake relief effort.

The International Federation of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies aims to raise $9.76 million.

They want local branches to help thousands of people hurt and made homeless by the 6.3 Richter scale earthquake that hit the island of Java on Saturday morning.

The BBC reported that the earthquake killed at least 4,295 people and injured 20,000. The UN?s top relief co-ordinator Jan Egeland told the BBC the rescue effort was ?a race against time?.

The International Red Cross has dispatched 400 volunteers and staff to the region. Five medical teams are already working there and field hospitals have been deployed. Additional medical supplies, body bags, field hospitals and tents are being shipped to the area.

Experts are concerned that the earthquake could lead to increased activity at Mount Merapi, an active volcano nearby.

Residents can help the people of Java by donating money to Red Cross accounts at one of the three banks. The Bank of Bermuda account is 701-19842, the Bank of Butterfield account is 20-006-060-663859-200 or the Gibbons Deposit Company account #35760.

Money can also be donated by calling the Bermuda Red Cross at 236-8253 and providing debit or credit card details. People can also mail cheques to the Bermuda Red Cross, Indonesia Earthquake Appeal, Charleswood, 9 Berry Hill Road, Paget, DV03.