YMCA's Secretary General Issues Statement on Aid to Tsunami Disaster
The tsunami continues to galvanize Christians around the world to action. The Secretary General of YMCA International gives an account of the YMCA work in the SE Asia nations. A credit to the Lord, the international community responded to the emergency quickly. Governments and people around the world immediately pledged to help the devastated area. Over $3 billion dollars have been received already (BBC), and the YMCA transferred $277,000 as pledged on December 27th.
According to the current count, the death toll for the human tragedy in South East Asia has risen over 155,000. Twelve countries of Asia were hit by a huge wave, called a tsunami, after an earthquake on the Lord's day December 26, 2004. The exact number will probably never be known, and millions of survivors of the disaster in the affected areas are in extremely difficult situations.
"What was encouraging is the compassion and immediate personal contributions of people around the world," stated YMCA International Secretary General, Bart Shaha.
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YMCA is just one of several Christian organizations operating to provide quick relief. Though YMCA staff have also been affected, YMCA began contacting other organizations to coordinate the emergency efforts in several countries, most notably in Sri Lanka and India.
20 of the 38 local YMCAs in Sri Lanka are in the affected coastal areas of the country. YMCA outposts immediately began relief operations and distributed emergency aid, such as dry rations and clothing to the victims of the disaster. All YMCA centers are either distributing or collecting aid, coordinated by Chrisantha Hettiaratchi, the National General Secretary.
Volunteers and staff have also gone to the eastern provinces of Sri Lanka with the necessary relief goods. After young YMCA leaders are trained, they go to the eastern part of Sri Lanka to assist by re-establishing leadership, clearing up debris, and operating relief programs. Plans are being drawn up for a center for orphans of the tsunami. The center is to be similar to a residential camp for children, and work will hopefully begin next week.
YMCA India has detailed three phases of action. The first is immediate emergency relief . This includes the distribution of food, medicine and other materials to help victims survive, and is expected to conclude mid-month. The second step is interim restoration, which is providing temporary shelters and trauma counseling. Finally, long term rehabilitation and reconstruction helps victims to rebuild basic homes and could include counseling and programs for the most vulnerable population, the youth.
Also In India, emergency relief work has been initiated by YMCAs in 4 centers (A.P.). YMCA will mostly coordinate essentials such as clothing, medicines, sleeping mattresses, emergency lighting arrangements, etc. Operations are coordinated by YMCA national council staff under the leadership of local volunteers. The local YMCAs are very much involved in mobilizing local resources including funds, relief materials, medicines, etc. YMCA have collected $3,500 worth of medicines and clothes.
Although no YMCA is located in the affected area of Indonesia, a YMCA nearby is distributing blankets and food to victims and has plans to provide medicines, clothing and daily necessities in the most affected Aceh Province. A team will be sent on Jan. 7th to leave from Medan YMCA to Nias to continue working with the survivors. Meanwhile, Thailand's YMCA in Bangkok, which is far from most affected area is trying to support through fundraising.
The leadership of YMCA looks with hope for the day the disaster will end. Lord, I don't know why so many people had to die; but, I believe in your new sun that recreates this universe," wrote Shaha.
