It would be hard for the world to erase the horrific images of the fateful day some five months back when an earthquake hit the Indian Ocean and triggered massive tsunamis, causing widespread destruction all over the coastal areas of South Asia. In the wake of its impact, a visible trail of total devastation remained as towns and entire villages were wiped out without a trace.

As the global community watched the tragedy unfold, waves of compassion started pouring in from people all over the world. Just four days after the catastrophe, international aid reached US$340 million dollars, with additional pledges promising to further swell the figure. Additionally, several notable charities and welfare organizations offered immediate practical support by sending medical relief teams to help to the victims of the tsunami crisis.

One of these organizations was City Harvest Community Services Association (CHCSA). Just two days after the calamity took place on December 26, 2004, CHCSA dispatched a seven-person medical relief team comprising a specialist surgeon, a nurse and disaster-trained workers. This capable group of volunteers packed their bags within a few hours notice and flew off to Banda Aceh, the worst hit region in Asia. They were the first international relief team to reach Aceh. Subsequently, CHCSA also sent teams to Sri Lanka and two other Indonesian islands, Meulaboh and Nias.

CHCSA PROVIDES AID

City Harvest Community Services Association dedicated most of its relief efforts to Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Because of generous financial support and effective networking among the local authorities, CHCSA was able to do more than merely send out relief teams. Above and beyond the invaluable medical and rescue support provided by the numerous CHCSA teams, the organization also gave generously to the subsequent reconstruction phase within the disaster-stricken areas, helping substantially with the rebuilding of infrastructure, homes, orphanages and schools.

CHCSA also had the opportunity to work with prominent international organizations such as UNICEF in January 2005. Together, they facilitated and implemented cholera vaccination for the locals in Banda Aceh. Simultaneously, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) worked hand-in-hand with CHCSA's team of relief workers on the Indonesian island of Meulaboh with great success.

The CHCSA volunteers received a pleasant surprise when Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister, Dr. Tony Tan, visited Banda Aceh in late January. Speaking to several Singaporean doctors, nurses and medical workers from the team, he queried them about their harrowing experiences on the disaster grounds and thanked them for their invaluable assistance in cushioning the blow from the crisis.

THE WORK OF REBUILDING

In Sri Lanka, CHCSA financed the construction of a new orphanage to house some 100 children who were orphaned as a result of the tsunami. This entire operation will take at least five months to complete. At time of print, land has already been purchased and construction has begun. CHCSA believes that this orphanage will become a place of refuge and comfort for the children.

In Indonesia, CHCSA was involved in three separate disaster areas—Banda Aceh, Meulaboh and Nias. The latter two are Indonesian islands off the coast of Sumatra that were badly hit and received little assistance due to the destruction of transport routes. The island of Meulaboh was where CHCSA worked closely with the SAF to provide aid and assistance to the villagers there. On the island of Nias, CHCSA rendered help by facilitating the reconstruction of infrastructure and buildings such as roads, schools, villages, as well as obtaining fishing boats and other necessary equipment for the fishermen there. The local authorities were so moved by the generosity of CHCSA that they wanted to name a village or road after the organization.

The city of Banda Aceh was where CHCSA concentrated most of its efforts. There, outdoor medical clinics were set up speedily after the tsunami struck. At these clinics, many injured people were able to receive prompt medical attention and even emergency surgery. In total, CHCSA opened six such outdoor clinics, effectively treating more than 15,500 victims and performing more than 1,100 surgeries in less than three months of relief work.

IN RETROSPECT

All in all, a total of 30 doctors, 37 nurses and 46 disaster-rescue workers from CHCSA have been directly involved in the relief work done in South Asia during the past three months. A total of 113 personnel were mobilized for this operation. In addition, CHCSA also sent close to 16,000 kilograms of food, relief supplies and medical items to Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

To all the volunteers from CHCSA, thank you for all the incredible support you have given and the personal sacrifices you have had to make in order to volunteer your time and efforts during this time of need! HT