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World Federation of the Catholic Medical Associations
SPECIAL ISSUE
THE ASSOCIATIONS OF CATHOLIC DOCTORS AND
THE DISASTER OF TSUNAMI IN SOUTH EAST ASIA
Initiatives
Presence on the field of our associations
Long term project of FIAMC
Risks of international aids through the organizations of the United Nations
Beyond the emergency: an appeal of the Holy See
CALL TO DONATIONS
In order to achieve our goal of a long term project in favour of the victims of Tsunami, we call to your solidarity:
- as an individual Catholic Doctor
- as an Association of Catholic Doctors
- as a person able to move other friends (companies, sponsors, etc.)
HOW TO DONATE 1. Bank money orders
For the bank money orders, they should be made payable to the bank account of FIAMC at:BANCA DI ROMA, filiale di Udine
Via Vittorio Veneto n. 34, 33100 Udine, Italy
CAB 3002, ABI 12300, account no. 65335832
IBAN Code: IT80E0300212300000065335832
Bank international code (so called BIC or SWIFT Code): BROMITROMA1V462. Cheques
They should be made payable to: FIAMC, The Vatican City, and sent to the address of our secretariat:FIAMC
Palazzo San Calisto
I-00120 The Vatican CityMany thanks for your generous solidarity VATICAN/FIAMC
First call
Wednesday, December 29, 2004Dear Friends,
After a few days to understand the situation, here are some reflections and requests for a quick decision:1. To our Asian friends:
We are close to you with our prayers after this international tragedy.
Please send news about the members of your associations and their families. We hope they are all safe.
Send also news on activities in favour of the victims, if your groups are doing anything in special or if the local Churches asked your medical support. We would like to do more.
What do you think would be more feasible and useful? Would it be better:
- Just to send money?
- To support local associations in their medical activities in favour of the victims?
- To send volunteers from Europe and North America?
- To support a particular project after that the wave of the mergency aids will be over?
- Others?
At least the associations of Malaysia and Thailand would they be able to support locally an intervention from abroad? In which way could their member cooperate?2. To the European and North American Associations:
We cannot be indifferent to what happened. Some of our best member Associations operate in the area of the disaster and we are in a favorable position to have immediately available local contacts and local support for an intervention.
- Do you think it would be possible to have volunteer doctors ready to go to the sites of the disasters if requested?
- Would you be able to engage immediately for donating an amount of money that FIAMC could anticipate and then refund it after collecting it among your members and activating donations from other sponsors?
- Do you think we should witness our solidarity sponsoring a specific long term project?
- Do you think we should activate an independent group of health personnel?
Thanks for a prompt reply.Gian Luigi Gigli
INDONESIA
First information from the field
Mercoledì 29 dicembre 2004Dear Gigli,
Many thanks for your attention and empathy for our disaster victims in Aceh.
Following local news and private video shootings, it shows that the disaster is beyond imagination. Until this evening, many corpses still lie unattended in the streets and elsewhere. There is an acute shortage of petrol, food and medical aid. Local organizations in Jakarta have been organized to collect funds, clothes, food and medical aid, some have been sent. But some sluggishness prevail. What we need most at the moment is funds to buy the necessities for survival of the survivors, besides food, shelter and medications, including vaccines. It is anticipated that outbreak of infectious diseases will emerge after a few days. Latest news: more than 32000 found dead. We don't have any info of our members association whether affected or not. More news will follow.
A N Kurniawan, ICMI IndonesiaSINGAPORE
What is better to do?Dear Gian,
It is really wonderful that you are able to reach out despite your heavy schedule. It is an excellent opportunity for us to demonstrate our solidarity with our member countries. As mentioned earlier I don't think it will be a good idea to organise an emergency team unless they have experience in disaster management. They will be more of an hindrance than a help. At the moment the priority would be shelter, food, drinkable water, medical supplies and clothes which maybe bought more cheaply in countries like India. The Church in Singapore is helping with the situation in Sri Lanka. I am trying to e-mail all our members to get a sense of where there is the greatest needs. At the moment we have no contact with the Doctor Association in Sri Lanka. My impression is that the greatest disaster areas would be India, Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka. It would be good as you suggested to start collecting funds and to wait to see where there is a needand where there is no aid. A medical mission can come later when the scale of the problem is known. Like the earthquake in Bam, Iran the Church here collected money and we had a representative who went in with Red Cross. We found that there was no need for medical team just supplies. I will be in touch with you as soon as I get more information.
God bless,
John LeeSINGAPORE
First actions of the catholic medical guild and ideas for an intervention on a larger scale
Wednesday, December 29, 2004Dear Friends,
I have just returned from a short family vacation an hour ago. Like all of you, I have been shocked by the extent and scale of the destruction especially as it happened during a time when we are celebrating the birth of Christ.
I am sure that many of you will in your own way be participating in relief efforts. Besides praying for the victims and their families we can demonstrate our Christian spirit and solidarity by offering aid in whatever way we can.
In Singapore for example the Catholic Medical Guild is helping the Archdiocesan Commission for Migrant workers to raise funds for relief efforts in Sri Lanka. I am sure similar efforts is happening in your country.
It would be wonderful if the Asia Federation (AFCMA) and the World Federation of Catholic Doctors (FIAMC) can help organise some joint effort. If any of your country has any special needs or if you or your organisation is willing to help, please let Chong Khin Yan chirtien@pl.jaring.my Freddie Loh ablestar@tm.net.my and myself know, so it can be posted on the AFCMA website. We now have an unique opportunity to be a good Samaritan.
Unless you have specialised skills in disaster relief or management, we might be more of a than help at the moment so the most practical way is still to collect funds and supplies.
In the meantime can we continue to pray for the victims and families as a family.
Thank you and God bless,
John Lee, Missions Coordinating Committee AFCMAVATICAN/FIAMC
Call to donations
Thursday, December 30, 2004To all the Associations of Catholic Doctors members of FIAMC
To our individual friends
Fund raising for the victims of tsunamiDear Friends,
After receiving advice from many of the responsible persons of the Associations members of FIAMC, the decisions for interventions in favor of the victims of tsunami in South East Asia are the following:
- no specific FIAMC medical team for emergency, because of difficulties in organization and to avoid further confusion;
- collaboration with Caritas Internationalis (they will communicate their requests);
- manifestation of solidarity with a long term project in conjunction with local Churches.
In order to achieve these goals MONEY IS NEEDED. You are warmly encouraged:
1. to organize locally an efficient fund raising through your national Association, involving both your members and external donors;
2. to send any money you are able to collect to FIAMC (Asia Emergency), by means of cheques or by money orders, according to the instructions reported below
3. Individual donors can follow the same procedure.
PLEASE NOTE: Differently from many organizations, FIAMC has no expenditures for organization: Every sum that will be donated will go in the project 100% .
God bless you for your support.
Gian Luigi Gigli, MD, President of FIAMCINDONESIA
Scenes from the area of the disaster in the Aceh province
Friday, December 31, 2004Dear Gigli and John
Latest news that the deaths are more than 45.000, mostly in Aceh Province. The most affected areas are the capital province: Banda Aceh and District of Meulaboh. Estimated that 5 % of Banda Aceh population (200.000) and 80 % of Meulaboh (capital of district Aceh Barat: population 40.000) were death and lost.
There are many aids and volunteers already poured in Medan and Banda Aceh, also many cities in Indonesia are collecting funds, clothes, foods, medical aids. But the main problem now is the distribution of those aids to the affected areas and the refugees camps, because of the broken infrastructures including roads and bridges, and because of the debris, muds, corpse which covered the affected cities and areas.
One small simple hospital (50 beds) in Banda Aceh, owned by a doctor (friend of mine, not catholic) was totally downed, covered by mud and debris, all the patients, nurses and employees on duty were gone during the tsunami, including 4 children of the owner. Two members of my hospital-management consulting group, who were in the hospital location during the earthquake, were able to escape from the tsunami. And Thank God, now they are safely home in Bandung. Their story will follow.
So most needed are funds, especially for long term recovery of the affected areas.
We work together with Perdhaki, the Association of Indonesian catholic health institutions, raising funds and other aids, and will be distributed through the Indonesian Bishop Conference and through the Diocese of Medan.
Albert I. Hendarta, West Java Catholic Doctor Community
Board Member, Perdhaki (Association of Indonesian Catholic Health Care Institutions),
Bandung, IndonesiaSRI LANKA/FIAMC
Happy to know you are safe
Friday, December 31, 2004Dear Dr. Fernandopulle,
First of all let me say that we are very happy that all the members of the Sri Lanka Catholic Doctor's Guild are safe. Thanks to God!
This is just to express you the solidarity and the prayers of FIAMC, of which your Guild is a member, although in recent years the communications where not the best.
We are trying to promote an action of fund raising and hopefully we will be able to offer a little help with some kind of long term initiative.
Please keep in touch.
Gian Luigi Gigli, President of FIAMCINDONESIA
Sumatra catholic doctors at work in Aceh
December 31, 2004Dear Dr Gian Luigi Gigli,
Thank you for your response and effort to the Earthquake and Tsunami disaster in South-East Asia. Many countries are affected but I belief that Indonesia (Aceh and North Sumatra province) is the worst country hit.
Our institution (St Borromeus Hospital in Bandung) has responded it with donating money, sending our doctors and nurses as well as bringing along the medicine with them. Today our first group consist of 2 doctors and 2 nurses is going to Jakarta to join the Perdhaki rescue group (Perdhaki= The Indonesian Association of Catholic Heath Care Institution) and then tomorrow they will leave for Banda Aceh. The subsequent groups are still waiting and they will leave as soon as they needed. Our doctors and employees are also collecting their own money and then will donate them to the victims.
Thank you for your kind attention. God bless you. Regards,
Dr Widyo S BudimanSINGAPORE
Discussing what is better to do, considering political constraints
Dicembre 31, 2004Dear Kurniawan,
I agree with you that the best thing that FIAMC can do is to start collecting funds which it has at the moment. At some point when the situation has settled we can consider a medical mission. However the Singapore team is more in favour of sending a mission to Sri Lanka rather than Aceh because the volatile political situation there makes it potentially unsafe for volunteers. I also understand from sources that there is no transportation to Aceh at the moment. Please keep us informed of your needs so that we can try to respond in whatever ways we can.
God bless,
JohnPS: the people here are wonderful. I was visiting a friend's mother this morning when a call came in from the Migrant Commission asking for a few thousand gloves and N95 mask for workers on the field collecting dead bodies in Sri Lanka. Immediately this friend offered to finance the entire sum even though he is not rich. We are helping in many other small ways either nationally or individually
VATICAN
Caritas Internationalis reply to FIAMC offer
31 dicembre 2004Egregio Dott. Gigli,
La ringrazio molto del Suo messaggio e, in particolare, dell'offerta di medici e altro personale medico per i paesi asiatici colpiti dal catastrofico terre/maremoto. Tengo ad informarla che la Sua proposta è stata tradotta in inglese ed inviata alle Caritas di India, Sri Lanka, Tailandia e Malesia.
Siamo ora in attesa della loro risposta la quale, considerando il sovracarico di lavoro al quale devono far fronte in questo giorni, potrebbe non essere immediata.
Sarà nostra cura farle conoscere le risposte non appena ci perverranno.
Ringraziandola nuovamente, colgo l'occasione per inviarle i miei migliori auguri per un Felice Anno Nuovo !
Esther Geisser, Dipartimento Cooperazione Internazionale, Caritas Internationalis
Tel. diretto: 06.698 797 18; Fax: 06.6988 7237; e-mail: geisser@caritas.vaMALAYSIA
First impression and decision
Friday, December 31, 2004Dear John and Gian Luigi,
Herewith is brief summary of the Tsunami calamity in Malaysia.
Fortunately the situation is not as bad as in Indonesia and Sri Lanka as our shores were only hit by the secondary Tsunami which was not as powerful as the primary Tsunami which devastated certain parts of Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Nevertheless the Tsunami destroyed a 1 kilometre stretch of our popular Batu Ferringhi beach in Penang and killed 66 persons and left 200 persons missing to date. It has left thousands of persons homeless and has destroyed the fishing boats and nets of the fishermen depriving them of their livelihood temporarily.
Our Catholic Doctors Association of Malaysia is working closely with our local Church via the Archdiocesan Office for Human Development in providing relief to the victims in Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka High Commission in Kuala Lumpur informs us that what is urgently required is medicine for anti-diarrhoea and also milk powder. Some of our members will be donating medicine and cash.
Our Prime Minister has ordered all count down New Year celebrations be cancelled. Instead he has appealed to all Malaysians to pray to God to comfort the victims of the Tsunami disaster and help them to live their lives again with hope and faith. Tonight our local Churches will be having prayer sessions on this.
We hope that our dear Brothers and Sisters from FIAMC and AFCMA will spend few minutes in joining us in this prayer and let us ask Him not to any of our countries suffer another Tsunami tragedy again! Thank you.
Yours Sincerely in Christ,
Freddie LohCANADA
Matercare International offer its obstetrical services
Saturday, January 01, 2005Dear Dr Kurniawan,
Heartfelt and prayerful condolences on the terrible disaster for you country and especially Aceh. We will be doing all we can to raise the funds through church and national organizations in Canada. If there is any need of obstetricians in the longer terms and for help in re-establishing services for mothers do let me know and we will see what can be done. I agree that the immediate need is for funds.
We remember all those who have died and their families
Yours sincerely,
R. L. Walley, FRCSC, FRCOG, MPH (Harvard)
Honorary Research Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Executive Director, MaterCare InternationalINDONESIA
Reply to MatercareDear Rob,
Thank you for your heartfelt sympathy. We are trying to organize how we could deliver aid in an effective way as there are so many initiatives are working . Funds are what we need urgently, but afterwards I believe we could also help in giving services in rehabilitating what have been lost or destroyed in terms of human needs, including mother and child care.
A N. KurniawanSINGAPORE
Supply of masks and gloves to Sri Lanka
Saturday, January 01, 2005Dear Maxie,
I am so happy to hear from you and to hear that all your members and families are well and safe. It is fortunate that Gian Luigi forwarded your message to me because I did not receive your original e-mail. I notice that you have typed in my e-mail address wrong. It should be familees@singnet.com.sg and not families.
As you are part of our family in Asia (and part of FIAMC) we would be happy to support you in any way we can. Yesterday I sent a few thousand N95 masks and gloves to Sri Lanka at the request of the Sri Lanka High Com fro workers dealing with the corpses.
If you can forward me a list of your requirements I would be happy to discuss with Gian Luigi and our Asian colleagues how to get the supplies to you. The Sri Lanka High Com here has requested Singapore not to send any more supplies but to donate cash instead.
In the meantime our prayers are with you and all the affected people constantly. Please keep in touch.
In His Service,
John LeeSRI LANKA
Description of immediate needs and first requests
Saturday, January 01, 2005Dear John,
I receive your e-communications, as you have previously contacted me as the president of the Sri Lanka Catholic Doctor's Guild. I am happy that you have taken the lead to help the poor victims of this disaster. So far we are not aware of any of our members lives been lost.
As for the situation in Sri Lanka, there is great deal to be done. With regard to health care the immediate need is water and shelter. The food and clothes are reaching most parts, except the more distant, remoter areas.
The debris and the dead have to be taken away. Soon there are going to be epidemics of water-borne bowel diseases and respiratory infections - with overcrowding. I am not talking of the psychological problems, post traumatic stress disorders, various forms of abuse in the camps, the care of orphan children and the widows. There are an adequate number of health care workers in Sri Lanka, however, there is a shortage of medical supplies. I am enclosing a list of them, if it is possible for you to get across. Thank you.
Yours in Christ,
Dr. Maxie FernandopulleSINGAPORE
Discussions on priorities
Sunday, January 02, 2005Dear Freddie,
Thank you for your update. It is wonderful to see the Malaysians reaching out despite the fact that they were also affected. May I suggest that if the Malaysian doctors like to help, then we do it as a coordinated effort through FIAMC. From our understanding of the situation the two most badly affected areas are Aceh and Sri Lanka. The is a distinct possibility of FIAMC developing a sustained medical mission at a later date. However from all the sources on the ground there is no lack of doctors at the moment. What is critically needed at the moment are clean water and medical supplies. In fact they suggest that any additional personnel going into the affected areas will more likely be a hindrance than a help. What they want and need is cash. We are working with the Jesuit Refugee Services who have long been established in these two areas to develop a coherent program in conjunction with our national guilds. Working with two different organisation will naturally also a system of counter checks which will ensure that the money and supplies are going to the right places. At the moment in Singapore at least there are too many organisations collecting money with little accountability and too many people rushing to the affected areas hampering relief efforts.
Can you check with KY whether we are ready to launch the AFCMA website officially so that we can use the bulletin boars to post updates? Have you been in touch with Andrew?
God bless,
JohnSPAIN
Aid for the victims of tsunami from the FIAMC world congress
Sunday, January 02, 2005Dear friends,
Our local organizing committee for the next FIAMC congress has decided to offer some of the money already existing for the relief of the Asian disaster. In this way, together with prayer, sacrifice and information, will serve better the poors we would like to help.
Have a Saint New Year! (If it is Saint then it will be Happy) !!!
Dr. J.Ma. Simón
http://fiamcbarcelona2006.free.fr
http://www.fiamcbarcelona2006.orgMALAYSIA
Little damage in the country,
the catholic doctors of Malaysia mobilise in favour of those most in needDear Dr. Simon,
Thank you for your concern. As mentioned in my earlier message thank God Malaysia has not been as badly affected by the Tsunami tidal waves compared to that in Aceh Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and India. To date we have 69 deaths. Locally the Malaysian Govt. is providing aid to those affected by the Tsunami disaster by giving cash relief and relocating some of them to safer areas. In fact there has been numerous fund raising projects from various Organisations and individuals in addition to the Govt's Tsunami Disaster to help the victims in Malaysia.
As such may we suggest that you send your cash donation via FIAMC to help the Aceh and Sri Lanka who are in dire need of such help? For your info. Dr. Andrew Choo the President of the Catholic Doctors Association of Malaysia will be going for a rescue mission to Aceh within the next 48 hours together with our Jesuit priest Father Paul Dass who is in charge of the various Refugee camps in Malaysia.
Finally our members are keen to come to Barcelona in 2006 for the next FIAMC Congress.
Looking forward to seeing you, Gian Luigi and Francois Blin in Spain!
Yours Sincerely in Christ,
Dr. Freddie LohSRI LANKA
The catholic doctors of Sri Lanka at work
Friday, January 2, 2005Dear John,
Thank you for your reply and the kind offers to help the victims.
I will get the Jesuit superior and check their need of medical persons and fulfil it. I am not sure whether there is a need for doctors to come from abroad at this moment. There are a fair number who have already come and here are a plenty of doctors wanting to go and work in the refugee camps.
My own two doctor sons went and stayed a few nights and came back as there is not much to do and there are adequate number of doctors locally. At the moment the drug situation is OK. In fact in some places there is too much of them and different groups go and over prescribe. here is great lack of coordination at the centre. The priority at the moment is proper shelter, good water and toilets.
We are trying to rectify some of these anomalies through the main medical professional organization in the country The Sri Lanka medical association whose views are well taken by the government. Myself along with few members of the Catholic doctors guild are in its council. We had an emergency meeting today and three of us from the guild are in the special fund raising and advisory committee to the govt. We have started a SLMA disaster fund and we have already received some from the foreign medical associations. The committee will decide when to use the funds and for which health care service. I can assure you 100% that any money coming to this fund will be properly used perhaps better than a govt. fund. The present drug situation is OK. We are monitoring the situation by visits and updates from each district representative. I am going to the east coast on Friday.
The accomodation, water, toilet and proper food, transport because of broken bridges and roads are a problem for doctors going from outside. If they can come with tents and living facilities that can be set up in the distant periphery it is the best foreign doctors can bring along.
I will get in touch with the Jesuit superior and verify his needs. I spoke to the Bishop of Colombo and he is not aware of any need of doctors from the bishops or the priests from the 3 affected dioceses. I will annexe a list of requirements but it may need changing as we go on. There is no great hurry for drugs as I see it. But I will contact you no sooner we get any information. Any of your representatives coming can contact me on arrival in Colombo on Telephone Colombo (011) 2501217. ADDRESS DR.Maxie Fernandopulle 33, Police Park Avenue, Colombo 5. Transport to the affected areas can be arranged but living there as I said is going to be very difficult.
God Bless and Love You all for your concern for us
Maxie FernandopulleMALAYSIA
Team announced to be leaving to Aceh on January 6th
Website in preparation.
January 03, 2005Dear John,
I have just spoken with Chong Khin Yam and Dr. Andrew Choo. Chong Khin Yam says that the AFCMA website is ready but he needs input from those member countries of AFCMA who have not given him details about themselves including their website and e-mail addresses. Please send whatever info. you want to him directly so that he can post it on the AFCMA website.
With regards to Dr. Andrew Choo he thanks you for your concern about his health. He is safe and sound. Unfortunately his computer is not working properly. He can receive e-mail messages but is unable to send out any. Meanwhile I will relate whatever message he has for you until his computer is repaired. Andrew wants to inform you, Gian Luigi and Meng that he on behalf of the CDAM and a team of doctors and nurses will be going to Aceh on Thursday 6 Jan. 2005 to asses the situation there and give whatever help they can. They are working together with the Jesuit Refugee Services and will be away for 10 days. On their return they can inform us what are the problems there and how we can all help.
With regards to Sri Lanka presently our local Church has postponed sending whatever aid we can to there because theydo not have any direct contact with anybody there. Also apparently the situation in Aceh is more critical.
Do keep in touch!
Freddie LohPAKISTAN
Catholic doctors offer a medical team
03/01/2005Dear Anjum, Director Caritas, Faisalabad Diocese.
Greetings from Sargodha,
Hope Caritas Pakistan shall be organizing some aid program for the countries hit by Tsunami.
We from Sargodha offer a team comprising a general surgeon (myself), an orthopaedic surgeon, a theater assistant, 2 midwives, and a pharmacist, ready to go in any country where Caritas Pakistan is operating in colaboration with any other agency. This team is willing to stay there for 15 days.
With best regards,
Dr. Waris KhanKOREA
Asian catholic doctor should act through FIAMC
Tuesday, January 04, 2005Dear Presidents of the AFCMA national organizations,
It is really sad to see that, as time goes on, the Tsunami victims are increasing in numbers and the survivors are getting infected with various infectious diseases.
Fortunately, our Federation has taken a lead in helping the people in those affected areas through the Medical Mission Committee of the Federation.
As we have witnessed, Dr. John Lee of Singapore, the Chair of the Committee and several others including Dr. Freddie Loh of Malaysia have been in front in this important mission.
We truly thank them for their hard work and sacrifices.
Singapore and Malaysia have already been collecting medicine and money to help the people in Aceh, Indonesia and Sri Lanka and I understand that they even organized a medical team to send to some devastated areas.
According to John Lee, what is critically needed in those areas at the moment are clean water and medical supplies and he suggests that we donate money to buy those things they need.
John Lee also suggests that the main thing that needs to be done is to accumulate funds collected to FIAMC to establish the relevance of FIAMC as an effective international family of Catholic doctors which participates in disaster relief and I agree with him.
This time, in that sense, I would like to propose that the national organizations of our Asian Federation collect some money and send them to FIAMC.
Sincerely yours,
Kwang-ho Meng, MD, President, AFCMASRI LANKA
Update on the local situation: God loves !
January 04, 2004Dear John and Other member organizations of FIAMC
The news from Sri Lanka is that many locally and abroad are trying their best to give relief to the affected and put them back to where they were. Much assistance is needed for this to be achieved. Many organization in the church and lay professional groups have taken over different tasks like rebuilding a school or a hospital, or house or replacing the basic needs of families that lost every thing they had. The 4 bishops of the affected dioceses are having their own funds and organizations within the church like the catholic doctors guild are planing to undertake a specific task. The foreign donors have promised financial support once the project details are sent to them. The members of the guild can direct any funding through the apex medical organization in the country the Sri Lanka Medical Organization whose disaster task force is represented by 4 members of the catholic doctors guild. Or we can work with one of the bishops and undertake a specific task . The details of which can be sent to any benevolent association. This process is I feel more effective than the major tasks undertaken even by the state where there is going to be more waste and less efficient. We are appealing through FIAMC to our brother organizations to consider making their contribution to the needy. details can be had by communicating with me on behalf of the Sri Lanka Catholic Doctors Guild.
God loves, So do I.
Dr. Maxie Fernandopulle, Past President, Catholic Doctor's GuildCANADA
Donation from Matercare International
05/01/2005Gian Luigi,
MCI's board has voted to donate US$1,000 to FIAMC for the tsunami relief programme.
Yours sincerely,
R. L. Walley, FRCSC, FRCOG, MPH (Harvard)
Honorary Research Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Executive Director, MaterCare InternationalSINGAPORE
Prerequisites for the project
January 5, 2005Dear Maxie,
I am sure that Gian Luigi/FIAMC will consider favourably any project that you recommend provided that it is of benefit to the community and has long term sustainability. We have already been supporting specific requests through Missionaries of Charity/Jesuit Refugee Services (JRS) and Sri Lanka High Com. However we have urged our members to refrain from rushing into affected areas as you have indicated earlier that there is little need for doctors during the acute phase.
We are also working with secular agencies with access to funds However for these funds to be dispensed we need to have detailed description of the projects. We are happy to undertake the project as a FIAMC initiative with other partners but there need to be a great transparency and accountability in usage of funds.
We hope to hear from you soon on any specific proposals. In the meantime we are praying for you and all the people affected by the Tsunami disaster. Thank you for all the wonderful work you are doing which is a concrete expression of your vocation as a Catholic doctor.
Take care and God bless,
John LeeINDONESIA
West Java catholic doctors in action,
but foreseeing a longer term reconstruction program
January 07, 2005Dear All,
This is my update: The official figures of the death in Indonesia up to yesterday are: more than 94.000. We believe that this will increase as facts are more open, especially from the isolated area, which is now being accessible for the rescue team.
A paediatrician from West Java Catholic Doctors will follow the 2 doctors and 2 nurses from St Borromeus Hospital who are now in Banda Aceh, they will join into the Perdhaki team, who are now in different areas in Aceh.
So many donations from different parts of Indonesia and of the world are pouring to Aceh, with all the complications. So, isn't it better that we concentrate on the longer term reconstruction programs? And be more specific e.g. rebuild the churches in Nias Island, or rebuild the destroyd/vanish hospitals? This is just an idea.
Kind regards and God Bless,
Albert HendartaINDONESIA
Support to the long term initiative
January 8th, 2005Dear Gianluigi,
Our health organisation, PERDHAKI, in which Catholic doctors and nurses work, has taken actions to help people in the western coast of Aceh, Nias island and Banda Aceh, together with allied Catholic workers and volunteers in collaboration with church priests.
The needs for relief and aid are changing as time goes on, although funds would still be needed. It would be very good and effective if all the donations are gathered by FIAMC, for further disbursal. I agree with dr Albert that perhaps we could do more at a later stage of rehabilitation , which would require longer lasting and persistent effort. I believe Perdhaki is quite experienced with this.
A N KurniawanMALAYSIA
A blog of the asian catholic doctors to facilitate communications
Tuesday, January 11, 2005Dear Friends,
Just to let you know of the new AFCMA website is now on line. The URL address is www.afcma.blogspot.com
You may log on to check on latest developments in the recent tsunami tragedy.
I am presently maintaining this website and would welcome views and contributions on tsunami and anything of interest(eg. bioethics etc)which I will post on the webpage. I would like it to be interactive so please contibute.
Thanks and regards,
Dr K Y Chong, MalaysiaKOREA
Generous donation and participation in medical team to Sri Lanka
Tuesday, January 11, 2005Dear Gian Luigi Gigli
It is really sad to see, as times goes on, the tsunami victims are increasing in number.
We have received your e-mail communications concerning to tsunami disaster of the south west asia.
Fortunately we (Korean Federationof Catholic Medical Associations, KFCMA) has taken a lead in helping the poor victims of this disaster by collection of some money and organizing medical supporting teams.
We are closed to you with our catholic doctors after this international tragedy. As your suggestion, the Korean Federation of Catholic Medical Associations quickly responded your request, and prepared some money which will be sent to victims of this disaster area.
We have sent this money (3000 USD) to the collection center of the FIAMC (Asia Emergency), The Vatican City, by bank transfer yesterday. Attached is transfer paper in pdf format. It would be most grateful if you let us have the receipt or notification of reception sooner by e-mail.
The other point of view is, our institute (Catholic Medical Center, The Catholic University of Korea) is planning to send the medical supporting teams which will be organized by volunteer of our affiliated hospitals to the Sri Lanka area. Perhaps this CMC medical supporting team will come to the south point of the Sri Lanka, in coming next week.
Also they are going to collect the money, drugs, clothes, and any home keeping facilities from all of the staffs and also will send them to the poor victims disaster area.
We greatly appreciate your effort to help the victims of tsunami disaster and your endless Christian love to them.
We would like to cooperate you helping the victims of this disaster zone, and well keep let you know about our supporting news.
Sincerely Yours
Joon-Ki Kang Jong-gu Rha
Vice President of FIAMC President of Korean FCMA
Dept. of Neurosurgery Dept. of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Kangnam St.Mary's Hospital St.Mary's Hospital
College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, KoreaFRANCE
Contribution of FEAMC
12/01/2005Cher Ami,
La FEAMC souhaite contribuer à l'aide apportée par la FIAMC aux victimes du Tsunami, dans la mesure de ses faibles moyens financiers. Nous pouvons effectivement donner 1000 Euros à la FIAMC.MALAYSIA
Report coming back from Aceh
Friday, January 14, 2005Dear Drs. Hendarta, Widyo and Kurniawan and friends from other countries,
This is the update from the Catholic Doctors Association of Malaysia.
The President of CDAM has just returned from a fact finding mission as well as to provide medical aid to the victims of the Tsunami disaster in Aceh. He went with Father Paul Dass nd was there from 1/1/05 till 12/1/05. Whilst he was in Aceh he met 2 doctors from Perdhaki viz. Dr. Ignatius Ricky and Tommy and together they gave medical aid to the victims. Apparently there are 400,000 displaced persons in Aceh and they are housed in camps of 200 to 400 persons per camp. Food is sufficient and is provided by the NGO's like Caritas but there is no clean water and no toilet. Although 4 billion dollars have been pledged to Indonesia so far none of this have reached the victims in Aceh so much so that the victims themselves have requested that all cash be given to them directly insted of through some agencies. On our part the CDAM of which Dr. Andrew Choo is the President will be collecting funds locally and channelling them to the Jesuit Refugee Service in Medan for onward transmission to the victims in Aceh who need cash urgently. We are told that presently there is sufficient medical supplies, food and clothing. Dr. Andrew Choo has suggested that we work closely together with Perdhaki in helping the victims. Therefor please keep us informed if we maybe able to help. Unfortuntely today our Malaysian Govt. has discouraged us from going to Aceh in the meantime due to security reasons. We will wait and see. Do keep in touch. Thanks!
Your Brother in Christ,
Dr. Freddie LohINDONESIA
Report on the situation and activity in Aceh
The catholic doctors join the effort of Perdhaki in helping the victims
14.01.2003Dear All,
Another update : the death victims in Aceh and North Sumatra have reach to more than 106.000, 12.000 disappear, around 500.000 are living in refuge camps. This information below are the activities of Perdhaki in Aceh and north Sumatera. As you all have known that the catholic doctors join the effort of Perdhaki in helping the victims.
Perdhaki's action in responding Tsunami:
- December 26, 2004 (Sunday): Afternoon : Perdhaki Regional Office of Sibolga informed Perdhaki central office that Nias island was strucked by tsunami and need help. Ms Asina and Dr Wonga were appointed to take action to help Nias.
- December 27, 2004 (Monday): Perdhaki central office contacted Perdhaki Sibolga-Nias, asking more information about the Nias and inquiry about the assistance needed. Perdhaki Nias (Sr Clara) was asked to take quick action and was allowed to purchased the needed medicines in Gunung Sitoli (capital city of Nias). Further assistance will be sent by perdhaki central office.
- December 28 to December 30, 2004 (Tuesday toThursday)
- Perdhaki central office seeked information from Regional Office in Medan, concerning the action that will be taken for Aceh.
- Since there is no Perdhaki's infrastructure in Aceh, Perdhaki Medan inquiry Diocese of Medan about the action for Aceh.
- Perdhaki central office supported Bishop Conference for medical supplies for action in Aceh.
- Perdhaki central office mobilized the first medical team, consist of 2 doctors, 3 nurses and 1 sanitarian. They were coming from Boromeus hospital (Bandung), Desa Putera health centre (Jakarta) and Perdhaki central office. Perdhaki central office also mobilized the medical supplies to be used by the team in the field.
- December 31, 2004 (Friday)
- The first medical team was briefed in Perdhaki office.
- Some medical supplies was sent to Bishop conference to be sent to Medan by Hercules flight and then to Banda Aceh.
- January 1, 2005 (Saturday)
- The first medical team arrived in Medan
- The medical team met with Dr Felix Tarigan (Perdhaki Medan), the diocese of Medan
- The team directly go to Banda Aceh, for giving emergency medical treatment to the victims in the disaster area.
- January 2, 2005 (Sunday)
- Dr Felix submitted the name of 2 persons (one doctor and one nurse) who will become the second team to go to the East coast.
- The medical team fly to Aceh by Hercules flight from Medan
- January 3, 2005 (Monday): The medical team informed central Perdhaki that there were sufficient doctors and medical supplies in Banda Aceh, so the team will go to outside Banda Aceh, possibly to Lhoh Sumawe
- January 4, 2005 (Tuesday)
- The medical team informed central office that they decided to split the team into 2 teams: One team (consist of one doctor and one nurse) stay in Banda Aceh and one other team went to west coast (consist of 4 persons).
- Since the diocese of Medan didn't have post in west coast, the team joint with other NGOs to go to West Coast (Leugen and Patik) by boat.
- The team planned to stay in west coast for about 4 days.
- The team informed central office that there were still many dead bodies laying along the coast and seems so far no medical assistant available.
- The second team will be dispatched as soon as possible to help them.
- January 5, 2005 (Wednesday)
- The second team (consist of one doctor and one nurse) was brifed in Perdhaki office
- Bishop conference informed Perdhaki central office that they will receive 10 clinic's equipment for west coast and asking Perdhaki whether could supply medical team.
- Bishop conference also asking Perdhaki for doctors for providing medical service to the refugees in Medan (under diocese of Medan)
- Perdhaki made tentative planning for dispatching further medical teams to west coast (the third, fourth, fifth and sixth).
- January 6, 2005 (Thursday): Perdhaki plan to set up POSKO (Coordinating Post) in Banda Aceh by rent the house for three months and recruit 2 doctors and 2 administrators (recording and reporting) also for three months as coordinating post.
- January 7, Friday: The first team in Banda Aceh confirmed that they can find the house to be rent, 2 doctors confirmed they can support the disaster for three months. The team in Banda Aceh will recruit 2 administrator.
- January 10, Monday: The third team, fly to Banda Aceh, consists of 2 doctors and 2 nurses from Atma Jaya Hospital, Jakarta. They will stay until January 24.
- January 13, Thursday: Dr. Felix Gunawan (Executive Director of Perdhaki) fly to Banda Aceh and one doctor who will stay for three months.
Others: Perdhaki's support for disaster in:
1) Nabire (Papua) : Medicine through Perdhaki Region of Jayapura
2) Alor (East Nusa Tenggara): Medicine through Perdhaki Region of Kupang.Dear All, Perdhaki really need your support for short term and long term program.
You can contact Perdhaki central office in Jakarta, Jl Kramat VI / 7, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia.
Phone: 62-21-3140455, 3909245, Fax; 62-21-31926044.
Email: perdhaki@cbn.net.id, perdhaki@perdhaki.org
Contact Person: Dr Felix Gunawan, Perdhaki Executive Director, and Irene Kusuma.
With best regards,
Albert I. Hendarta, West Java Catholic Doctor Community, Perdhaki Central Board JAPAN
Generous contribution of the Japan Catholic Medical Association
14.01.2005Dear Dr. Gian Luigi Gigli:
Thank you for telling me IBAN Code and BIC of your account.
Thanks for them, I could remit $5,000 to your account today.
This is a part of the donation from the members of Japan Catholic Medical Association (JCMA).
The donation will be gathered further more. I will send it again when it reaches some amount.
Buichi Ishjima, President of JCMA INDONESIA
Catholic doctors of Sumatra still at work in Banda Aceh
A team returns, a new team leaving
14.01.2005Dear Freddy and friends,
Thank you for the update. Our medical team are still in Banda Aceh and will return to Bandung on Jan 17.
The second team will leave on Jan 20, 2005. I will report you when they will have arrived Bandung.
Regards,
Widyo S Budiman MALAYSIA
Report of the catholic doctors association of malaysia on their mission in Banda Aceh
January 15, 2005Dear Drs. Hendarta, Widyo and Kurniawan and friends from other countries,
This is the update from the Catholic Doctors Association of Malaysia.
The President of CDAM has just returned from a fact finding mission as well as to provide medical aid to the victims of the Tsunami disaster in Aceh. He went with Father Paul Dass and was there from 1/1/05 till 12/1/05.
Whilst he was in Aceh he met 2 doctors from Perdhaki viz. Dr. Ignatius Ricky and Tommy and together they gave medical aid to the victims.
Apparently there are 400,000 displaced persons in Aceh and they are housed in camps of 200 to 400 persons per camp. Food is sufficient and is provided by the NGO's like Caritas but there is no clean water and no toilet. Although 4 billion dollars have been pledged to Indonesia so far none of this have reached the victims in Aceh so much so that the victims themselves have requested that all cash be given to them directly instead of through some agencies.
On our part the CDAM of which Dr. Andrew Choo is the President will be collecting funds locally and channelling them to the Jesuit Refugee Service in Medan for onward transmission to the victims in Aceh who need cash urgently. We are told that presently there is sufficient medical supplies, food and clothing. Dr. Andrew Choo has suggested that we work closely together with Perdhaki in helping the victims. Therefore please keep us informed if we maybe able to help.
Unfortuntely today our Malaysian Govt. has discouraged us from going to Aceh in the meantime due to security reasons. We will wait and see. Do keep in touch. Thanks!
Your Brother in Christ,
Dr. Freddie Loh UNITED NATIONS
Relief aid abounds, but not a consensus on its use.
Expert warns of doing more harm than good
Rome Jan. 16, 2005, Zenit.orgBillions of U.S. dollars are being allocated by governments and international organizations to countries affected by last month's tsunami.
In an interview with ZENIT, Riccardo Cascioli says that the challenge now is to identify the best way to use the funds. Cascioli is the director of the Italian-based European Center of Studies on Environment, Population and Development, and an expert on Asian issues.
Q: The tidal wave that struck the countries in Asia and Africa is the third most serious that has occurred in the last century. Are there measures that could have been taken to avoid all these deaths?
Cascioli: In fact, technology exists today that, had it been applied in the Indian Ocean, would have avoided the great majority of human losses. It is no secret that a global alarm system for the tsunami has been functioning for many years, and at present is able to identify the formation of the tsunami and its direction and alert concerned countries in just 20 minutes.
Q: Why, then, were such measures not taken?
Cascioli: Essentially, for two reasons. The rareness of the tsunami in the Indian Ocean and above all the high cost of such sophisticated technology, to which must be added -- and this is very important -- organization in each country able to give the alarm, establish an evacuation plan and, eventually, prepare aid rapidly.
Clearly what matters is the substantial development of the affected countries. A similar tsunami -- in terms of violence - on the coasts of Japan would have caused limited losses, precisely because it is a developed country that has learned to live with certain natural phenomena by developing and applying a technology capable of controlling and limiting its effects.
From this point of view, one cannot fail to observe that in the last decades an ideology has been affirmed at the international level that denies the human experience of the previous millennia. So, instead of investing in infrastructure that would limit the damages of natural disasters, today much more is spent on absurd attempts to control the climate and its alleged effects.
Q: The United Nations will now administer the largest sum of aid in the history of humanitarian emergencies. How can these resources best be used?
Cascioli: Over these years U.N. agencies and some NGOs connected with them have been characterized for concentrating aid in projects directed to limiting the human presence rather than protecting it. Also over these days, once the first wave of distress passed, reasoning has begun that puts the blame on local populations, because they are growing too much and are concentrated in villages and cities along the coasts.
However, if in some countries fishing is one of the essential economic resources, where should the fishermen live? In the mountains? Do our Sicilian fisherman live inland? The problem, on the contrary, is that human urbanization must be favored, with housing that is able to cope with certain emergencies, with proper alarm systems, and so on.
Of course there are NGOs that work in this manner. However, to put aid funds in just one sack increases, unfortunately, the risk that they will be invested in a mistaken way. All the more reason why U.N. agencies should be mistrusted which, in addition to investing often in a mistaken manner, have given proof of inefficiency. So the concern of some countries can be understood.
Q: Over the last decades much of the aid collected following natural disasters has been used in programs to reduce births. Will this be the case again this time?
Cascioli: Unfortunately, I think the agencies are continuing on this path. It is no accident that among the first U.N. agencies to invest in the Asian Southeast is the United Nations Population Fund [UNFPA], ever the main protagonist in birth control campaigns. By Dec. 27 it had already allocated $1 million for "reproductive health" interventions, which we all know is a concept that hides the intention to promote abortion and contraception at the global level.
UNFPA itself states that among the populations affected there are 150,000 pregnant women who must be helped. However, we know that if these women fall into the hands of UNFPA personnel, few children will be born of them, adding victims to the victims. It is important to recall that in the emergency obstetric kits sent by the UNFPA, there are manual vacuums, which in fact are used to practice abortions.
And if someone is still in doubt, I would like to point out that these last days the Hewlett Foundation -- one of the main foundations historically committed to birth control plans -- has given $1.2 million to support "reproductive health" interventions in countries affected by the tsunami: $900,000 to UNFPA, $300,000 for the International Planned Parenthood Federation, which is the most important NGO in promoting abortion in the world and a key member of the UNFPA.
There is almost the impression that these organizations in fact have a certain affinity with the tsunami, given that they work for the same objective.
ZE05011603 VATICAN/ UNITED NATIONS
Solidarity towards tsunami victims should not end,
says Mgr migliore at the United Nations
20 January, 2005Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The Holy See's permanent observer at the United Nations, Mgr Celestino Migliore said that the outpouring of solidarity towards tsunami victims from around the world should not stop but should instead go on.
A sense of solidarity moved people and governments to come to the rescue of tsunami victims in south-east Asia, Mgr Migliore said. It should not just be a reaction to the sight of thousands of dead bodies; it should instead last because such a natural disaster needs medium and long-term commitment.
"It seems clear," the Vatican diplomat said, "that this is an emergency whose aftermath is going to last through the medium and long term, and so it is to be hoped that the solidarity of private citizens and governments alike will not die down once the world recovers from the initial shock of the calamity."
Mgr Migliore added that the Holy See, in cooperation with the Pontifical Council Cor Unum and numerous Catholic agencies, acted immediately to bring emergency aid such as food, clothing and other necessities to the affected communities and regions. (FP)