WORLD NEWS & PERSPECTIVES
ADRA Increases Response to Tsunami Survivors
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) continues to provide aid to tsunami survivors in Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and India.
ADRA-Indonesia coordinated a team of medical experts from regional hospitals to provide medical services along the coast near Banda Aceh. Hospital tents will be established to deliver medical services. ADRA Indonesia has partnered with a local non-governmental organization (NGO) and recruited local volunteers to provide assistance in the delivery of food, water, medical supplies, and essential non-food items to camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs). ADRA is one of only two organizations working in Meulaboh, on the west coast of Aceh province, which was the hardest hit by the disaster and subsequently the most inaccessible.
In coordination with the health department of the local government, ADRA Thailand provided protective wear for workers assisting with the retrieval, transport, and storage of bodies. Supplies included 7,000 face masks, 1,000 pairs of gloves, and 100 aprons.
ADRA is operating a water purification unit that can produce 50,000 liters per day in Sri Lanka. Three additional units are being provided that will process an additional 80,000 liters of water per day. There are also 300,000 water purification tablets ready to be used as required.
ADRA-Sri Lanka will be assisting in the task of removing and burying bodies that pose a major health risk. ADRA is importing 200 foggers that clean and deodorize bodies and areas where they have been decomposing.
ADRA distributed medical aid in Hambantota district in Sri Lanka, one of the hardest areas. The aid included a three-month supply of medical items for 10,000 people.
In India, ADRA continues to provide 7,250 IDPs with food in Tamil Nadu. Two water purifying units are providing drinking water in this region.
ADRA International urgently solicits emergency donations for this response. Only monetary donations are being accepted.
Donations can be made to the Asia Tsunami Crisis Fund online at www.adra.org or by calling 800-424-ADRA (2372).
