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Massive Tsunami Relief Efforts Underway
Bonnie Gillespie, Staff Writer and Photographer, RedCross.org
Saturday, January 01, 2005 — As the new year dawned, millions of tsunami survivors, who were already struggling to cope with a catastrophic disaster, were plagued by unrelenting rainfall, flash floods and severe aftershocks in the wake of the 9.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Dec. 26. Meanwhile, world governments and humanitarian organizations continue mounting what will likely become the largest disaster relief operation in history.
An Indonesian child stands in a makeshift camp for displaced survivors of Sunday's earthquake and tsunami in Banda Aceh.
Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Yusuf Ahmad and Alertnet
Kamalvathi, 2, a survivor of the devastating tsunamis is comforted by her mother at a hospital in Cuddalore, India.
Photo courtesy of REUTERS/Arko Datta and Alertnet
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The American Red Cross has dispatched a team of trained disaster relief experts to the devastated Bay of Bengal region, including a four-member Emergency Response Unit (ERU) team which specializes in relief supply distribution. Additionally, the American Red Cross sent an initial $30 million in aid to the affected areas, including $25 million for relief food supplies and $5 million non-food relief items, such as hygiene kits and tents for displaced families.
With the confirmed death toll now nearing 150,000 and more than five million homeless, emergency supplies are critical, as the threat of starvation and disease continues to escalate.
In the hardest hit nations of Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, Indonesia and Thailand, many areas remain inaccessible to both search and rescue teams and relief supply distributions. Many officials fear the death toll could even reach 200,000 in coming weeks.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation), along with national societies like the American Red Cross, are partnering with numerous international humanitarian and non-government organizations to coordinate relief efforts. American Red Cross personnel will assist in conducting disaster and needs assessments, in addition to providing direct relief assistance to those affected by the disaster.
Additionally, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which is the lead agency in conflict areas, is working closely with the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, the Indonesian Red Cross Society and the Myanmar Red Cross Society. The ICRC is supporting these national societies in conducting assessments, providing and distributing non-food relief items and evacuating the injured.
The initial response by Red Cross Movement partners in the first few days of the crisis was critical, as Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers freed survivors and provided emergency relief to those in need. Now, those efforts are being bolstered by an international operation which will assist millions in the most vulnerable communities over the next several months.
Despite accessibility, transportation and communication obstacles currently hampering Red Cross and Red Crescent teams, aid workers on the ground and around the world are committed to courageously continue bringing emergency relief to tsunami victims.
“The main challenge we are facing is to ensure continuity of relief supplies, and guaranteeing the health of these vulnerable communities,” said Mostafa Mohaghegh, operations coordinator for the International Federation. “It is vital we get people under shelter and receiving adequate assistance as quickly as possible to avoid preventable physical and psychological problems.”
How You Can Help
You can help those affected by this and countless other crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance, and other support to those in need. Donate online or call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Donations can also be mailed to your local Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
Inquires about Loved Ones in the Region
The ICRC has launched a website to help restore links between family members affected by the disaster at www.familylinks.icrc.org. Inquiries concerning U.S. citizens should be referred to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Service, at 1-888-407-4747. Callers are asked to remember that these phone numbers are frequently busy during the first days of a large disaster.
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