Three days after the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the death toll has risen above 70,000. Aid agencies and Western countries are stepping up efforts to help survivors of the earthquake in terms of finance, human resources and supplies.
The US has more than doubled its pledge of funds to US$35m while on Wednesday the UK government pledged £15m (US$29m) to help the first phase of the relief effort - making Britain the second largest donor after the US.
Denominations across the world have also joined in the relief effort as an action to demonstrate the love of Christ among those who suffer. The Baptist World Aid (BWAid), the relief and development arm of the Baptist World Alliance, has formed a partnership with Hungarian Baptist Aid (HBAid) Medical and Relief Team to support Colombo, Sri Lanka.
BWAid has allocated an initial US$25,000 for relief work in the affected Asian countries, working with and through the local indigenous leaders. It has given $5,000 towards the expenses of the Hungarian team, which will help the victims in Sri Lanka by using US$110,000 worth of medicines and medical supplies. Other Baptist relief groups have also expressed their readiness to serve through BWAid.
The UK-based mission agency BMS World Mission operates in Sri Lanka, Indonesia (specifically the island of Sumatra), India and Thailand. Relief work has already started in Sri Lanka and an initial assessment has been made.
BMS Director for Mission David Kerrigan announced on Tuesday an initial US$50,000 grant has been approved. He called for the support of all British Baptist Churches to take up special offerings in aid of the emergency in South Asia.
The first phase of the relief work will cover food and drinking water, medical supplies and water pumps, benefiting up to 5,000 families. Secondary needs will include dry rations and temporary shelters.
