At time of print, the death toll has soared beyond a staggering 155,000, with tens of thousands others reported missing, and millions displaced from their homes, creating scenes of utter helplessness and despair in many of the worst-hit regions.

The United Nations (UN) has estimated that this may be the costliest natural disaster in history, with relief and clean-up efforts requiring billions of dollars and a number of years to accomplish. The World Health Organization (WHO) has further indicated that if medical treatment and fresh water are not adequately provided to the disaster-struck areas promptly, the outbreak of communicable diseases could very possibly cause a health catastrophe that would double the death toll.

CHCSA RESPONDS

In response to the urgent cry for aid from the tsunami-hit areas, City Harvest Community Services Association (CHCSA) swiftly put together an able team of seven workers to assist in the relief efforts. Comprising one of the best specialist surgeons in Singapore, a qualified nurse as well as workers proficient in disaster rescue work, the CHCSA team quickly gathered the necessary medical provisions and left for Banda Aceh, Indonesia, two days after the disaster struck.

Banda Aceh, located on the west coast of Aceh province on the island of Sumatra, has the largest number of deaths reported in Indonesia as it is closest to the epicenter of the initial quake. Singapore daily, The Straits Times, reports that the situation in Banda Aceh is "grim, [with] its river mouth clogged with boats, debris and floating corpses." The surgeon on the CHCSA team, Dr. Francis Seow, relates the gory scene: "There are dead bodies everywhere; in the cars, hanging from the buildings, lying on the streets ..."

In order to get to the disaster-stricken area, the CHCSA team had to travel for 12 hours through jungle terrain. Yet their efforts were certainly not in vain. They were the first international relief team to arrive in Aceh with much-needed medical provisions to tend to the many injured.

"It was obvious to us when we arrived that there is a desperate need for extensive medical aid and supplies in Aceh," remarked Wendy Goh, the nurse and only female within the team.

Over a period of six days, the team overcame physical exhaustion, psychological battles, a lack of medical and basic supplies, and terribly overwhelming odds to assist as many of the injured as they possibly could. Harvest Times caught up with the team when they came back to Singapore on 2 January 2005, and presents their exclusive eyewitness accounts of the horrific devastation in Banda Aceh.