One after another, the planes and helicopters arrived, each bearing a little bit of help. They flew into India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia. These countries are struggling to recover from the massive tsunami (soo-nah-mee) that hit the coasts of South Asia on December 26. With each landing last week came a ray of hope for those suffering on the ground. In the wake of almost unimaginable destruction, thousands of aid workers brought kindness to people in pain.
Responding to the devastation throughout coastal areas of South Asia, volunteers passed out water, medical supplies and clothing. Doctors set up temporary outdoor hospitals to treat wounded survivors. Dozens of countries--led by Australia, Germany, Japan and the United States--have pledged nearly $4 billion in aid.
"It is the world coming together in a manner we've never, ever seen before," said Jan Egeland, the United Nations emergency relief coordinator. The world came together in other ways as well. At noon on January 5, people all across Europe stood silently for three minutes to honor the victims. TV stopped, and church bells rang. In Finland and Sweden, thousands attended candlelight vigils. For five days, U.S. flags flew at half-mast to honor the more than 155,000 victims of the disaster.
The Next Wave: Help
Days after the tsunami hit, as hopes for finding survivors faded,
volunteers concentrated on saving the living. The World Health
Organization says that up to 5 million victims lack the basic
necessities to stay alive. Last week, doctors and nurses treated
thousands in hastily built camps. They also worked to prevent the spread
of disease. Dirty water and food can make people sick, and disease could
spread quickly.
International organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF and the International Red Cross have set up aid centers to provide emergency help. Doctors Without Borders has sent more than 40 workers and 110 tons of relief supplies to the region.
The U.S. has pledged $350 million and sent the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and 11 other warships loaded with supplies, helicopters and soldiers to help in the relief effort. The American plan called for some 1,500 U.S. Marines to head to Sri Lanka.
President George W. Bush enlisted the efforts of former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. Their task is to encourage private donations. The President also sent Florida Governor Jeb Bush and Secretary of State Colin Powell to the region. They surveyed the damage and attended a meeting of world leaders in Jakarta, Indonesia, on January 6.
"I've been in war and I've been through a number of hurricanes, tornadoes and other relief operations, but I've never seen anything like this," said Powell.
A Tough Rescue Effort
Getting aid to those who need it is sometimes difficult. Many of the
roads in Sri Lanka and Indonesia were ruined by the tsunami, making it
hard for trucks to deliver food and water. Last week, Leslie Ansag, a
Navy medic from Everett, Washington, was one of many working in Sumatra.
She summed up the simple sentiments of those trying to help: "It's
heartbreaking."