The Salvation Army in Indonesia provides medical support and basic supplies
The Salvation Army in Indonesia provides medical support and basic supplies
2 October 2018
Patients being treated outside The Salvation Army's Woodward Hospital, as the focus on medical assistance increases.
Provision of medical facilities is a key focus in the early stages of The Salvation Army’s disaster response in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, in the aftermath of last week’s devastating earthquakes and tsunami.
Providing care to people on the streets of Palu.
Almost 1200 people are confirmed dead, and thousands have been injured, with the figures expected to rise. A priority is to repair The Salvation Army’s quake-damaged Woodward Hospital in Palu and to restore full functionality – including operating theatres – as soon as possible.
Currently, patients are being cared for in the open and under makeshift tents. The main government hospital in the city has collapsed, increasing the importance of the work that can be carried out at Woodward Hospital, which suffered only relatively minor damage.
Outreach teams of Salvation Army healthcare professionals are being deployed to more remote areas outside Palu in order to provide much-needed medical assistance. The teams include students from The Salvation Army’s nurses training school, who have been supporting doctors and nurses.
Major Januri, Head Officer of Makassar Hospital, en route to Palu.
Because of severe damage to road surfaces, access is only possible by motorcycle or on foot. Access to fuel is also extremely limited.
Salvation Army personnel in Palu met on Monday to coordinate the distribution of food throughout the city, which had been commenced by Palu 1 Corps as soon as it was able to recommission its kitchen. Food and drinking water supplies remain scarce.
The emergency response and logistics are being coordinated by Lieutenant-Colonel Yusak Tampai, who travelled to Palu by military plane along with his niece, who is a doctor.
Sunday worship went ahead for many Salvationists on Sulawesi, including in the open air because buildings were damaged. Commissioner Peter Walker (Territorial Commander, Indonesia) shares that “Salvationists in the area continued ... to seek God's hand even in these extreme situations”.
Eight Salvationists are known to have lost their lives in the disaster, but contact has still not been made with people in some more remote areas.
Comments
Humility in action...Thank you indonesian Salvos for the support..We are with you in prayers