As of January 5, the death toll in countries affected by the December tsunami in South Asia has gone beyond 155,000 with tens of thousands still missing. Indonesia suffered the most deaths, with fatalities surpassing 100,000. Hundreds of thousands of others have been severely affected physically, psychologically and through a loss of livelihood.

Reports from the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Indonesia indicate that casualties in Banda Aceh, the capital of the province, reached at least 30,000, while Aceh Jayah province had at least 20,500 injuries reported. West Aceh (Meulaboh), also located on the island of Sumatra, registered 14,800 deaths with about 300 people still missing. Only the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and the American Red Cross were said to be tending to the needs of those affected there.

Dr. Reuben Supit, president of the Medan Adventist Hospital, 268 miles (431 km) southeast of Banda Aceh, reported that a medical expedition is planned for Aceh. The expedition is being coordinated by ADRA Indonesia with Bandung Adventist Hospital in Java, Bandar Lampung Adventist Hospital in Sumatra, and Medan Adventist Hospital, along with additional Adventist volunteers. Two medical clinics were to be opened under tents, and equipment and medicines were donated. An initial, nine-day encampment in Banda Aceh was to begin on January 6, Dr. Supit said.

According to Dr. Supit, two American Adventist physician volunteers, Dr. Craig Thaya and Dr. Jeff Davies, are expected to arrive in Aceh, along with Robert Patton from New Zealand, formerly deputy director of ADRA Indonesia. Patton, based in Medan, will coordinate the overall activities of ADRA in the province of Aceh. [Editor: Djoko Soewarso for ANN/APD]