South Asia Disaster Update: Salvation Army Team Reaches Aceh

A SALVATION ARMY emergency relief team in Indonesia has reached Aceh in northern Sumatra – the area nearest the epicentre of the earthquake which set off the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami. The region has been devastated by the disaster, with 80 per cent of buildings damaged.

Lieut-Colonel Dawn Sewell, an International Headquarters emergency services consultant working with a team from The Salvation Army in Indonesia, reports that they have based themselves in a house in Meulobah owned by an oil company. The company has also provided a car and fuel, which is in very short supply. Lieut-Colonel Sewell says The Salvation Army appears to be one of only 10 non-governmental organisations to have made it to West Aceh.

The immediate need, they have discovered, is for medical aid, which the Salvation Army team is able to offer. The 14-strong team includes nurses and others with medical experience. They have set up a mobile clinic and are working in areas where the need is greatest.

A reconstruction programme will be set in motion as soon as the immediate needs have been dealt with.

Lieut-Colonel Sewell also reports that The Salvation Army is looking at providing assistance on Nias, an island off the main coast of Sumatra that was completely devastated by the disaster.