CAFOD Helps Following Devastation Across Asia
The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development's (CAFOD) Caritas partners
across Asia are reporting scenes of unimaginable destruction following
the earthquake and tsunami that hit coastal regions in India, Sri
Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand on 26 December.
Over a million people across the region have been affected by the tsunami. Caritas staff are reporting a death toll in the tens of thousands and rising.
In Sri Lanka, local staff members say it is the worst natural disaster in the country's history. The north eastern coast has been worst hit. Thousands have been made homeless with many houses washed away.
Camps for displaced people from the civil war are now currently being inundated by large numbers of people made homeless. There is increased concern for fishing communities who live on the coastal areas. Whole villages have been wiped out.
Urgent need for shelter, clothing and medicines
There is an urgent need in Sri Lanka for material for shelters and clothing. Medical assistance is also a priority as medics try to cope with the large number of injured. Fears are growing of the possible outbreak of disease with the large number of dead bodies.
In India, Caritas staff are reporting churches full of dead bodies collected after the flood. Local workers have opened up schools and church buildings to take in people made homeless by the tidal wave.
Food is being provided at the community level. The urgent need is to provide further shelter and food aid. Coastal areas will be impossible to return to for some time.
Isolated areas in India remain out of contact and are providing great concern.
Growing concerns about Aceh
CAFOD is increasingly worried about the situation in Indonesia. The province of Aceh was reportedly the first hit by the earthquake itself. Two thirds of the provincial capital has been destroyed. The situation is described as 'catastrophic'.
Again fears are heightened for coastal fishing communities, who are already marginalised.
Of concern is the lack of international access to Aceh. A civil war in Aceh has complicated relief efforts.
The Indonesian government has forbidden journalists access and only a few international aid agencies are operational there. CAFOD does work in Aceh through local organisations.
Caritas emergency teams on their way
The network of international Caritas staff will be sending emergency workers to Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia to access needs and organise the relief response.
CAFOD's Emergency spokesperson Patrick Nicholson said, "The earthquake and tsunami have caused vast damage across Asia on an unprecedented level. Our staff in the field says they have never had to face such a widespread disaster.
“Relief efforts will be initially centred on providing shelter, food aid, and medical assistance. Needs are expected to rise as our staff gain access to isolated regions.
"We are particularly worried about Aceh in Indonesia. It is one of the worst hit areas and currently there is very little access due to government restrictions."
International Caritas agencies have pledged US$2 million to cover immediate needs.
CAFOD is taking emergency donations on line: http://www.cafod.org.uk/asiadisaster
You can also donate online at the website below or call 0870 60 60 900.
CAFOD
Useful URL : http://www.dec.org.uk/
Over a million people across the region have been affected by the tsunami. Caritas staff are reporting a death toll in the tens of thousands and rising.
In Sri Lanka, local staff members say it is the worst natural disaster in the country's history. The north eastern coast has been worst hit. Thousands have been made homeless with many houses washed away.
Camps for displaced people from the civil war are now currently being inundated by large numbers of people made homeless. There is increased concern for fishing communities who live on the coastal areas. Whole villages have been wiped out.
Urgent need for shelter, clothing and medicines
There is an urgent need in Sri Lanka for material for shelters and clothing. Medical assistance is also a priority as medics try to cope with the large number of injured. Fears are growing of the possible outbreak of disease with the large number of dead bodies.
In India, Caritas staff are reporting churches full of dead bodies collected after the flood. Local workers have opened up schools and church buildings to take in people made homeless by the tidal wave.
Food is being provided at the community level. The urgent need is to provide further shelter and food aid. Coastal areas will be impossible to return to for some time.
Isolated areas in India remain out of contact and are providing great concern.
Growing concerns about Aceh
CAFOD is increasingly worried about the situation in Indonesia. The province of Aceh was reportedly the first hit by the earthquake itself. Two thirds of the provincial capital has been destroyed. The situation is described as 'catastrophic'.
Again fears are heightened for coastal fishing communities, who are already marginalised.
Of concern is the lack of international access to Aceh. A civil war in Aceh has complicated relief efforts.
The Indonesian government has forbidden journalists access and only a few international aid agencies are operational there. CAFOD does work in Aceh through local organisations.
Caritas emergency teams on their way
The network of international Caritas staff will be sending emergency workers to Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia to access needs and organise the relief response.
CAFOD's Emergency spokesperson Patrick Nicholson said, "The earthquake and tsunami have caused vast damage across Asia on an unprecedented level. Our staff in the field says they have never had to face such a widespread disaster.
“Relief efforts will be initially centred on providing shelter, food aid, and medical assistance. Needs are expected to rise as our staff gain access to isolated regions.
"We are particularly worried about Aceh in Indonesia. It is one of the worst hit areas and currently there is very little access due to government restrictions."
International Caritas agencies have pledged US$2 million to cover immediate needs.
CAFOD is taking emergency donations on line: http://www.cafod.org.uk/asiadisaster
You can also donate online at the website below or call 0870 60 60 900.
CAFOD
Useful URL : http://www.dec.org.uk/
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