CMAT strives to meet relief shortfall in Indonesia
A destroyed home in Kinniya, Sri Lanka (Photo courtesy of Imthiyas Jawfar, December 30, 2004).
December 30, 2004 – CMAT consulted today with its medical team and CMAT Chairman to reassess its emergency relief efforts in Asia. Relief efforts have so far focused on Sri Lanka which sustained major devastation and over 28,000 deaths, and CMAT has air shipped three skids of medical supplies to its partner in the region.
However, there is a grave crisis well underway in Indonesia which was similarly devastated (over 80,000 deaths), but whose relief needs have been largely unmet. As a result, CMAT will dispatch its medical team to Sumatra, Indonesia to address this relief gap. CMAT will continue to support Sri Lanka through its partner, Serendib Foundation with financial assistance, food, and medical supplies both to meet the acute crisis, as well as the rehabilitation of its hospitals and clinics.
CMAT’s partner in Indonesia, Mercy Malaysia, has sent two medical teams to Sumatra and have started operating out of a military hospital. Much more assistance is required, and Mercy has identified additional medical support as an immediate need. CMAT’s medical team will work alongside Mercy Malaysia’s teams to establish medical stations and administer medical care and first aid to displaced persons. Moreover, CMAT’s medical team will arrange to ship and distribute emergency supplies of water, food, and clothing to the affected people of Indonesia directly from the project region. The medical team will depart for Indonesia by January 5. CMAT continues to require cash donations to support its relief projects.
CMAT will send 100% of all donations directly into our projects overseas
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