ASIA - International Organisation for Migration assists 500,000 tsunami refugees in Indonesia and 300,000 in Sri Lanka

Thursday, 13 January 2005

AFGHANISTAN

2024-02-07
Manipur, torn by conflict, tries to reconnect the threads of dialogue

2023-12-04
The Franciscan Pastoral Center of the Diocese of Jinan celebrates the 60th anniversary of Sacrosanctum Concilium, to continue walking on the paths opened by the Second Vatican Council

2023-10-16
Prayer for the reconciliation of the peoples of Israel and Palestine

2022-02-24
Integrating refugees into society: the commitment of the Pro Bambini Association of Kabul

2021-12-18
The Barnabites, with their hearts in Kabul: "Pray for Afghanistan"

2021-12-17
Serious food crisis: 23 million people in need

Jakarta (Fides Service) - The International Organisation for Migration IOM is working alongside missionaries, local Churches and Catholic NGOs to help tsunami victims in south east Asia. IOM a non-confessional organisation, started after World War II to assist refugees, now works under the aegis of the United Nations Organisation In Indonesia OIM is assisting 500,000 people in coastal areas of Aceh with transport of basic necessities to Banda Aceh in collaboration with local civil authorities and humanitarian missions from various different countries here to help the thousands of homeless.
OIM in Medan, logistic base for storing and managing humanitarian material, has 130 trucks transporting aid in Banda Aceh and Aceh. Earlier this week OIM in Jakarta sent 60 more truckloads of water, food, shelters, medicine for victims in Medan. Crucial also the distribution of electric generators to allow collection of corpses to continue through the night.
In Sri Lanka OIM is assisting 300,000 people in coastal areas. In response to a government request to take care of logistics and transport of aid arriving at Bandaranaike airport, OIM has 15 trucks and 5 4X4 vehicles operating in Batticaloa, Ampara and Hambantota where it was already assisting the homeless. Since 28 December OIM trucks have been transporting emergency supplies of food, basic commodities, water purification equipment sent by various governments.
Heavy rains and intense heat make shelter the main necessity and OIM’s first concern was to distribute tents, plastic sheeting and water containers to victims along the affected east coast area.
OIM personnel has also undertaken to register homeless families crucial for government and humanitarian agencies to provide help and transport.
OIM Colombo has registered 600 families in Batticaloa with the help of volunteers and is present also in Trincomalee, Ampara and Matara. In Matara OIM opened an office to co-ordinate temporary shelter for more than 12,000 tsunami victims.
In response to an inter-agency appeal OIM has received donations for the value of 35 million dollars mainly from Australia, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, United States, Sweden and Switzerland.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/1/2005 righe 40 parole 412)