Salvation Army's report from tsunami areas
A long-term friend who is an officer is the Salvation Army sent me this email about the SA's first on-scene assessments of the disasters in the Indian Ocean area.

Tuesday, December 28, 2004 – Salvation Army assessment teams returning from the field are confirming the tragic news about the aftermath of last Sunday's tsunami waves that slammed into the southern Asia region. The team returning from Galle on the south coast of Sri Lanka reported finding the entire area, including Salvation Army properties, in total disarray. Debris is reportedly scattered all over this coastal town which used to be home to thousands of residents. The cost in terms of human life was also great. Among the casualties were passengers on a commuter train and bus that were reportedly washed out to sea by the waves, resulting in massive loss of life. Team members reported finding the corps officers (clergy) and soldiers (lay members) not only providing relief aid and counselling to the survivors, but also actively assisting in the recovery of bodies of the victims.

Emergency funds have been released in response to an appeal from relief teams in Indonesia. The leader of The Salvation Army in Indonesia reports, 'Immediate and URGENT need at the disaster sites (Aceh and Nias Island) is for body bags, medical masks, hand gloves, hand sanitizers and disinfectants. Distribution of these items is being coordinated with the government. The country’s 14 Salvation Army relief teams (known locally as "Compassion in Action" teams) are actively involved in North Sumatra and neighbouring areas counselling relatives of the victims. People are still in the state of shock, disoriented, and bewildered. The government is supplying people with food, clothing and medicines. But even where there is food, people cannot eat'.

Reports from affected communities in India all are very similar in their findings of unprecedented destruction and enormous losses of human lives. Another common theme, though, is the selfless service being given by Salvation Army officers, soldiers and volunteers as they do all that they can to give practical aid and spiritual comfort to the thousands and thousands of people who have had their lives forever changed in one terrible morning. Whether it’s providing food, water, clothing and shelter to families, helping with the recovery of remains or just listening to the heartbreak of those who lost loved ones to the raging waters, The Salvation Army is a beacon of hope in this desperate situation.

Even as much is currently being done, though, there is still much more to do. An International Emergency Response Team has been dispatched from London to Sri Lanka to help coordinate the massive relief efforts there. Salvation Army personnel in the affected region (as well as those nearby) are currently working around the clock to demonstrate practical care for hurting neighbours.