ANR News Release
Adventist News Review
Trans-European Division of the
Seventh-day Adventist Church

13 January 2005


ADRA UPDATE ON ASIA TSUNAMI

ST. ALBANS, ENGLAND [ANR] ? Three weeks after the Asia tsunami
disaster, the death toll is now estimated over 159,000 (this figure
is now anticipated to rise to over 189,000), with over 24,000 still
missing. Some 2.2 million people have been displaced while over
1,026,000 are believed to be homeless. These figures are expected to
increase.

Relief efforts are still critical: Some populations in remote areas
in Banda Aceh Province in Indonesia remain difficult to reach.
Treating injuries from the tsunami and earthquake is still a concern.
In India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka, reconstruction efforts have
started simultaneously with the relief efforts. No disease outbreaks
have been reported. Isolated cases of measles in Aceh prompted an
immunization campaign. Access to safe water and sanitation remain of
critical concern. An effort is underway to support countries in
rebuilding public health infrastructure, while guiding and
coordinating public health efforts among national authorities, other
UN organizations, NGOs, and the civil and military sector.

In Indonesia, a command centre has been established in Medan, where
the Seventh-day Adventist Church has a hospital and from which, ADRA
activities are being coordinated in the region. ADRA medical teams
have been very active for the last two weeks. Two clinics have been
established in the northern coastal region of Aceh Province. A
16-member medical team opened a clinic at the Sibreh Public Health
Centre in Sibreh (15 kilometres outside of Banda Aceh) and a second
clinic has just been opened in Lhokseumawe (400 KM from Medan) where
there are 8,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). ADRA-Spain is
sending a container of supplies into Banda Aceh in conjunction with
Medan Adventist Hospital.

In Meulaboh, ADRA continues to maintain a presence and is
coordinating relief efforts with other agencies and has been able to
facilitate the distribution of food and shelter. Equipment has
arrived that will treat acute respiratory infections and damaged
lungs. ADRA has distributed anti-typhoid and anti-malaria injections
and tetanus treatments for about 600 people. ADRA Indonesia met with
the Meulaboh Education Department and is working on a Memorandum of
Understanding in regards to repair and reopening of schools and is
hiring two teachers to help facilitate the process. UNICEF has asked
ADRA to be the lead agency in the repair and refurbishing of schools
(junior high and senior high) and to help coordinate the donated
supplies, logistics and liaisons with Education officials in Meulaboh
and NGO's.

In Sri Lanka, two field offices have been set up, one in Tangalle and
another in Balapitiya (near Galle). A medical team, consisting of 2
doctors, a nurse, and a social worker from ADRA Hungary, is in the
eastern region of Kalmunai and will be their for the next 10 days. A
fogger project has started and has disinfected 3 temples and a
school. With more fogging and protective equipment just arrived, ADRA
will start training the Sri Lankan military to continue with this
important health work.

ADRA is partnering with Heart to Heart who is providing water
purification units that are due to arrive this week. Medical aid
distribution is ongoing and helicopters are being used to airlift in
supplies. ADRA will be distributing food and non-food items (NFI) to
IDPs in 17 camps.

In India, ADRA has begun a response in the Andaman Islands to set up
shelters for 200 families and health education for children and IDPs
in the Pondicherry and Karaikel region. A project to deliver NFI and
health education to IDP camps on the Andaman Islands will begin next
week. In Andrah Pradesh ADRA will assess the needs of the fishing
villages and see what types of nets and boats are needed. A medical
team of two doctors, three nurses, and two psychologists, will
provide services to at least 60,000 people. ADRA is also planning to
address immediate medical requirements including vaccinations and the
chlorination of wells.

In Thailand, ADRA is working in partnership with the Phuket Mission
Hospital in the development of additional interventions for the long
term support of tsunami victims. These interventions will focus
predominantly on the physical and psychological needs of those
affected.

Residents on the islands of Phrathong and Surin were evacuated to the
main land and are being housed in tents while a water system is
installed. Assistance is being planned to reinstall all water
systems, pump out the wells and help kick-start their livelihood of
fishing. ADRA also will assist with the reconstruction of the Kamala
District School on a different site.

The ADRA Asia Tsunami Response Coordinating Office in Bangkok reports
more than $7million has been applied for and/or is being implemented
in the affected region. ADRA International president, Charles
Sandefur is currently visiting the region and providing moral support
to ADRA staff. ?The response of the public towards this disaster has
been amazing?, says Roy Richardson, ADRA Trans-Europe Director, ?the
immediate challenge for us is to ensure that these funds are used as
soon as possible. There are so many people suffering and huge needs
everywhere; ADRA is committed to helping as many people as possible
and to ensure the gifts from so many will make a difference to their
lives.? Please continue to keep these people, and all church and ADRA
staff involved in the response, in your prayers.

[ADRA/RR/ANR staff]


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ANR Staff: Miroslav Pujic, news director, Beverly Coysten, editor
ANR, 119 St Peter's Street, St Albans, Herts, AL1 3EY, England
E-mail: anr@ted-adventist.org
Website: www.ted-adventist.org

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