Following the huge loss of lives and massive destruction of infrastructure by the Tsunami that hit many Asian countries on 26 December 2004, the people and governments of the region have struggled to cope with the physical devastation and sheer human loss. To date the total death toll may now be as high as 155,000 with tens of thousands still missing. The current confirmed death tolls are: Indonesia 94,081; Sri Lanka 30,196; India 9,479; Thailand 5,046; Somalia 142; Burma 53; Maldives 74; Malaysia 67; Tanzania 10; Seychelles 1; Bangladesh 2; and Kenya 1. The United Nations states that the total death toll may never be known.
To deal with this mega crisis, Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) has established a crisis command center in Bangkok, Thailand to coordinate its network-wide response. ADRA has very active offices in Indonesia, Thailand, India and Sri Lanka that have immediately responded to the needs. More than US$3 million has been committed from ADRA donors. In Thailand, ADRA is already working with a local hospital to distribute personal care packages and provide relief assistance to nearly 3,000 people in Phuket Province. In India, ADRA is providing shelter, blankets, drinking water, water containers, chlorine tablets, and mosquito nets. In Sri Lanka, 3 tons of medicines have been distributed and water specialists from South Africa are assisting to rehabilitate the bulk water supplies. They also have health teams on standby in case of a major epidemic break out. In Indonesia, food has been distributed including 15 tons of rice and 800 boxes of instant noodles as well as 500 blankets and 40,000 water purifying tablets.
ADRA donors in the Trans-European region have been very active in raising funds to support this crisis. ADRA-Denmark is working on funding of over US$1m for Indonesia and the churches have raised over US$35,000 to date. ADRA-Finland is still collecting and is waiting on proposals for funding. ADRA-Netherlands has planned a major collection for January 8 and is writing a proposal for India.
ADRA-Norway has committed US$150,000 for projects in Asia and is actively fund raising among its churches and the public. ADRA-Sweden has already sent US$75,000 to Thailand for immediate use and is waiting for a proposal for a further US$150,000. ADRA-United Kingdom organized a church wide fund raising appeal on January 1, has allocated US$100,000 to the response and has met with the British Government for further major funding for projects. They have also sent consultant Conrad Vine to Sri Lanka. ADRA-Hungary has organized a medical team of doctors who will leave on January 7 for Sri Lanka.
ADRA assessment teams are currently in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, the Andaman Islands and India conducting longer term needs assessments. As soon as these assessments are completed, much more in the way of supplies and support will be provided. A group of fishermen from a totally wiped-out village in Thailand said, “We don’t need food, or houses, but please help us to replace our boats.
Once we can start fishing again, we can look after ourselves.” Many people are not looking for hand-outs but for a new start for their livelihood. For people still wanting to give to help all those affected, please do so in cash through your local ADRA office or on the ADRA websites.
“Again we have been painfully reminded of how fragile human life is in our world." says Dr. Bertil Wiklander, president for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Trans-European region (TED). "The devastating and senseless loss of the lives of so many people, including many defenceless and innocent children, is beyond our understanding. We must bring our grief and lack of comprehension to the Lord and address with utmost determination the enormous and desperate need to support those who have survived, so that the effects of this disaster may be reduced.
The TED is committed to work through ADRA with governments and all organisations of good will to respond to these needs. Many people within our church are giving funds through various channels, and this is a good thing to do. Let us remember in our daily prayers all the victims and those who have lost loved ones. Pray that God will hasten the day of his coming to put an end to the suffering and sorrow in this world.”
(C) Adventist News Review (ANR) / Adventist Press Service (APD)