New Quake Hits Indonesia - Muslim Aid
An earthquake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale struck the west coast of Indonesia's Sumatra Island Monday 28 March 2005, at 11.09 pm (local Jakarta time) / 16.09 (UTC). Several aftershocks have been reported in the Simeulue and Nias region (up to 15 ranging from 4.9 to 6.1 in magnitude). There are no reports of tsunami waves as a result of the latest earthquakes. Initial reports indicate that Nias Island, Simeulue Island and the Banyak islands, located off the southwest coast of Sumatra, are the areas worst affected by the latest earthquakes. Nias Island, south of Simeulue, has an estimated population of 444,000, of which some 1,780 people are registered as internally displaced.
Simeulue Island has an estimated population of 77,751 people, of which 18,000 people are internally displaced. The Banyak islands, located between Nias and Simeulue, have an estimated population of 5,000 people. Current Situation and Response Nias: While the exact number of casualties has not been confirmed, there are approximately 200 dead and over 300 injured, many of them severely. Medical evacuations of the most serious cases are currently being carried out to Medan, Meulaboh and Sibolga. WHO is sending doctors from Meulaboh to Nias to deal with trauma cases.
There is a need for emergency food rations, water and shelter. OCHA Medan has dispatched 500 tents from UNHCR at the request of the inter-agency advance assessment team. The tents are to arrive on a Singapore Chinook on 29 March. UNICEF is sending 2 water treatment plants to Nias. Logistics hubs will be formed in Sibolga and Medan.
All available helicopters and small aircraft have been drafted into Medan to assist with this operation. UNHAS is sending staff to Nias to respond to the increased need for air traffic control. The Government dispatched a team from Jakarta to assess the situation and no request for international assistance has been made pending the outcome of that mission. More assessments are being planned for 30 March throughout the area, including Pulau Banyak and Aceh Singkil. Simeulue: The OCHA/WFP/Government (Dinas Sosial) team completed their rapid assessment of the situation and found that most buildings constructed out of timber with light corrugated steel roves suffered very little damage, whereas many of the concrete buildings were damaged or collapsed (including the Bupati/Mayor's office).
The population is generally fearful of a tsunami, probably because the water level appears to have dropped. Many have moved out of their damaged homes into tents or makeshift shelters. Initial estimates of casualties report 3 dead and 47 injured in Sinabang Hospital. Although the hospital suffered structural damage, it is still in operation and tents have been erected as a temporary measure. All collapsed structures have been searched.
Some casualties were evacuated by light aircraft to Medan. International NGOs have not reported any casualties. The airport is operational with the normal flight timetable to/from Medan on schedule. No suitable helicopter landing site has been found for MI8s in the capital of Sinabang. The route from the airport to Sinabang is open, but parts of the road are fractured.
All bridges are open, but abutments are damaged. Communications on the island are poor. Satellite telephones and HF radios are in need. The Indonesian army (TNI) is present and in desperate need for communications equipment. A TNI reconnaissance team was deployed mid afternoon and will attempt to provide assistance.
Main needs include: tented hospital for 50 people; 2 tons dried biscuits for the hospital; general doctors; hospital equipment; oxygen and basic medicines, glucose drips; 200 tents for homeless families; communications and GPS equipment. In this initial phase, CARE, CRS and SC have indicated they would be able to assist with a number of these requirements. Banyak islands: A rapid aerial assessment of Banyak and Singkil islands, which were nearest to the epicentre of the 8.7 earthquake, revealed that life appeared to be normal with little to no destruction and no visible humanitarian needs. No helicopter landing site exists on the island. http://www.muslimaid.org/ e-mail protected from spam bots Muslim Aid PO Box 3 London E1 1WP Tel No: +44 (0)20 7377 4200 Fax No: +44 (0)20 7377 4201 Charity Reg No 295224.
The Prayer Pager Project launches its web site.
The Prayer Pager Project is a non-profit organization that seeks to aid patients with catastrophic illness in their healing by providing means of prayer. We give the patient a pager, at no cost to the patient, to have with them while in the hospital or even at home while recovering. When a family member, friend, or parishioner thinks of or prays for the patient, they then page the patient to let them know. As the pages come in, the patient knows there are others in the battle or their wellness; that the patient is not alone, giving them the strength to fight their disease and become well again. The payers have offered comfort to patients and their families alike.
It is our belief that the power of prayer works miracles in the healing process.For more information, request a pager, or make a donation, visit our new site at www.prayerpager.com..
The Prayer Pager Project launches its web site.
Hearing aid > The Prayer Pager Project launches its web site.
Golfing At its Best
(ContentDesk) April 23, 2006 -- Golfing is at its best when played at a premier course in a breathtaking setting, like Southern California. When you add the fact that this prestigious sport can provide funding for hearing impaired children and their families, then you know that golfing is at its all-time best. Shawn Parr, famous radio personality, actor and father, is an avid golfer. Mr. Parr is lending his time and talent to the John Tracy clinic as he once again hosts the Shawn Parr Golf Invitational.
As your host for the 13th year, I look forward to meeting you when I tee off with each team. By taking part in the 2006 Tournament, you will enable Orange County Guild to make important progress toward its second million in donations to the Clinic! exclaims Shawn. This years event is being held at the El Niguel Country Club, and is located at 23700 Clubhouse Drive, Laguna Niguel, California, on Monday, May 15th.
The shotgun start will be at 11:30 am. The El Niguel...
Hearing aid > Golfing At its Best
Clarity Offers Special Promotion, Sponsors Grand Ole Gospel Show to Benefit The EAR Foundation and Help Those With Hearing Loss
Nashville, TN (ContentDesk via ContentDesk Direct) July 7, 2006 -- Clarity, a division of Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT) and the nations leading supplier of amplified telephones, today announced a special promotion to help raise funds to support The EAR Foundation, a national non-profit devoted to education, prevention and treatment of hearing loss, one of the nations most prevalent yet overlooked disabilities.