Tsunami Aid Reaches Isolated Areas

A week after the Indian Ocean earthquake, the death toll has risen and risen and has now surpassed 140,000. In the worst-hit country alone, Indonesia, more than 94,000 people died. Amid the fervent prayers from all over the world that were offered to the victims on New Year day, the UN has stated that it is hopeful the world will be able to meet the challenge providing adequate aid to survivors.

Aceh, Indoesnia was closest to the epicentre of the earthquake, and there many communities have been completely cut off since the disaster. The aid agencies have so far been unable to get aid to the most remote areas. However, yesterday hope was revived as US helicopters begun dropping food and medical supplies to various isolated regions.

Michael Elmquist, head of the UN disaster relief operation in Indonesia told BBC, "We are relying on the helicopter system because that is the only way we can reach the most remote areas."

In the provincial capital, Banda Aceh, a huge clean-up operation has begun. People have started patching up less seriously damaged houses, and dented and mud-spattered cars are one by one being towed away. Rubble and debris are now being trucked out of the city and set alight along the roads.

In addition, Indonesia's social welfare department is in charge of the burial of the bodies. Currently, 3,500 to 4,000 bodies are being buried each day.

The Salvation Army announces that it is preparing to move into stage two of its own response. In order to support a sustained programme of reconstruction in the affected areas, representatives of the Emergency Services section at The Salvation Army’s International Headquarters in London have now been dispatched to Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka.

The Salvation Army described that this will be its biggest-ever programme of relief and reconstruction in its 135-year history as an international movement.

According to the Salvation Army, the most urgent response is to help the hundreds of thousands of people who have lost their homes and livelihoods to reconstruct their properties. The Army also promises to provide spiritual comfort, pastoral support and professional psychological counselling to ensure the emotional well-being of survivors.

The UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan warned that areas hit by the Asian tsunami could take up to 10 years to recover. The UN children’s agency, UNICEF, has urged special attention for child victims of the Indian Ocean disaster.

"More than the physical health, the mental health is very necessary because people have been so much traumatised by this event," said Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva.

On 6 January, a meeting of world leaders will be hosted in Indonesia to discuss further aid. The conference will invite 23 countries, including the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, China, Japan, South Korea and four major international organisations, US President George Bush and UN Secretary General Kofi Annan will also be present.