TAKEN FROM THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR NATION (80TH BIRTHDAY BOOKLET)

SAIRAM (Social Action Initiative Relief and Mercy) ACEHFREE MEDICAL SUPPLIES FOR BANDA ACEH TSUNAMI VICTIMSunder the Indian Ocean off the west coast of Sumatra, triggering massive tsunamis that obl iterated villages and seaside resorts in several countries across southern and Southea st Asia. Particularly hard-hit were the countries of India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Tourists, fishermen, homes and cars were swept away by wall s of water, unleashed by the 9-magnitude q uake. Over 150,000 people and still counting were killed, hundreds of thousands more were injured and over one million were made homeless. More than half of the victims were from the province of Aceh in Indonesia.

26 December 2004, The world's most powerful earthquake in more than 40 years struck deep

Members of the Sai Organization sprang into action by formulating immediate relief and rehabilitation plans for the Tsunami victims in the devastated regions of Aceh. Three task forces were formed. One was based at Medan, the closest city to Aceh. One in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia and the third to concentrate for access into Meulaboh one of the worst affected areas in the province.

Victims of the Tsunami

28

Do not look on when you find someone in pain or grief. As far as possible, relieve the pain, console the grief-stricken.

Cargo in Banda Aceh Airport

Team in Crisis Center Banda Aceh

Handover of Medicines in Aceh Hospital (1st trip)

(2nd trip)

(3rd trip) 29

TAKEN FROM: HEART-TO-HEART JOURNAL

OVERSEAS SEVA REPORTof service given by Housing Needs Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai The Sai Organization of Sri Baba. Lanka, following Swamis command Good work Then Dr. Goldstein and should never be Dr. Reddy accompanied by postponed, immediately the Sri Lankan central authorized the coordinator visited the procurement of 500 affected areas in and fabricated housing units to around Colombo to see the provide homes for the damages caused by the refugees in North and tsunami. North Central Zones. In Bedsheets ready for distribution in Sri Lanka addition to the housing, the Medical Taskforces Sai Organization is also providing all basic necessities Dr. Upadhyay, Member of the Sri Sathya Sai to the refugees who will settle in the 500 housing International Medical Committee visited the affected units. For this purpose, a container load of utensils, a areas to make a field assessment of the medical needs, container load of mineral water and 2000 cartons of and will be returning soon with a medical team from the chlorine tablets for the purification of drinking water United Kingdom. A taskforce of physicians and are being imported from Chennai, India. volunteers, headed by Dr. Brahma Sharma, President of the USA Sai Medical Committee, visited the affected Presentation on the Seva Needed areas. Following their recommendations two relief Mr. A. Pulendran, Chairman of the Central Council teams of Sai workers from Canada and USA are going to Sri Lanka, made a presentation on the extent of Sri Lanka on January 29th and February 10th. damage caused by the tsunami and what needs to be done immediately. Certain priority areas for relief INDONESIA work such as providing shelter, water purification, construction of houses, providing trauma counseling, In Indonesia, the deadly tsunami on December 26th providing medical assistance, and taking care of 2004, swamped the northern and western coastal areas infants and mothers were identified in consultation of Sumatra, and the smaller outlying islands off Sumatra. with SSSO Zonal Presidents in Sri Lanka. Matters The trauma faced by the victims and the trail of related to sending specialized medical doctors to destruction left by the tsunami was devastating. conduct camps were also discussed. Nearly all the casualties and damage took place within Dr. Goldstein emphasized that the law of the land the province of Aceh. As the largest city to receive the should be kept in mind when carrying out all Seva full fury of the tsunami, Banda Aceh is struggling to wake activities and requested the youth to continue their from a nightmare. Over-flights of the Aceh coast have good work under the guidance of elders. He thanked reported a virtually destroyed coastline, with bodies the SSSSOSL for the wonderful Seva done so far and floating at sea. In many towns and villages concrete pads assured all possible assistance in the near future. are all that is left of substantial structures, while scattered corrugated iron roofs crumpled like paper are the only Dr. Reddy briefed on the proposed visits of medical evidence of flimsier houses. A few intact mosques rise experts to Sri Lanka and assured all assistance by way eerily from wasteland. of sending medical experts, medical equipment and medicine to affected areas. He also emphasized that The first tasks of the government and humanitarian aid we should always render service with love agencies were to bury the massive numbers of dead and remembering God and closely follow the guidelines prevent an epidemic of communicable diseases. OtherHeart 2 Heart Special Issue 63

OVERSEAS SEVA REPORThigh priorities were delivery of medical supplies and personnel to overwhelmed hospitals and clinics; tent shelters; clothing to people who have lost their houses and belongings; and food, especially baby food. The Relief Seva Offers of aid poured in from Sai organizations across the globe. Chairman of the Prashanti Council, Dr. Michael Goldstein, along with the Regional Coordinator, Dr. V.K. Ravindran of Malaysia, empowered the chairman of the Indonesian council, Bro. Mohan Mirpuri to mobilize relief action instantly. Two Taskforces On the eve of 27th December 2004, members of the Sai Organization, sprang into action by formulating immediate relief and rehabilitation plans for the tsunami victims in the devastated regions of Aceh. Two taskforces were formed. One was based at Medan, the closest city to Aceh, and the other in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. Dr K.H. Yeoh of Singapore was appointed as the Medical Coordinator for the Aceh taskforce. Emergency Relief Supplies On the 30th December the first taskforce, comprising of 20 Sai devotees were deployed from Medan Center. They distributed emergency relief supplies such as food, water, medicine, clothes, blankets and other basic necessities. They visited Lhoksuemawe, one of the severely hit regions and did an initial assessment f o r u p c o m i n g reconstruction projects. They returned with horrifying reports of the catastrophe, accounts of large scale devastation and destruction, and tales of pain and despair. Aceh was in dire need of aid. Medical Supplies On the 31st December the second team from Jakarta swiftly arranged bulk medical supplies that wereHeart 2 Heart

urgently required by the only 2 hospitals in operation in Aceh. Since the influx of injured victims was overwhelming, medical supplies were quickly depleting. Replenishment was hampered due to obliterated roads and a damaged transport system. However, with unshaken faith in Bhagavans bountiful compassion, the taskforce set out to undertake the difficult task of supplying the hospital with medicines on the day of its urgent requirement. Bhagavan Babas Divine grace was witnessed as all preparations for the trip were arranged by HIM. Much needed antibiotic medicines were quickly availed, and air tickets were arranged, all in a matter of few hours. On the 1st of the New Year 2005, a team of 7 Sai devotees flew to Banda Aceh, personally carrying lifesaving medical supplies for thousands of the injured victims. The Crisis Centre in the capital city of Aceh, informed that there were only 2 operational hospitals in the region with a capacity of housing 300 patients in total. They admitted that the hospitals were overwhelmed with the increasing rate of casualties, and lacked essential medicines and doctors and nurses, many of whom lost their lives in the tsunami. On the 3rd of January 2005, Medan taskforce made their second trip bringing staple food and water. This time the team went further into North Aceh regency and surveyed 4 towns and surrounding villages. The result of the survey concluded that the most important aid required in the region, after medication and food was water. Thus the team, assisted by professionals, set about making necessary arrangements for the installation of a water purification unit. On 5th Jan, Jakarta taskforce with Dr. Yeoh and Dr. Victor Seah of Singapore along with Dr. Arul Jyoti of Malaysia made their second trip to Banda Aceh. They carried with them fresh supplies of broad based antibiotics, anti-depressants and64

Hand over of medicines at Fakina, Indonesia Special Issue

OVERSEAS SEVA REPORTBangkok, and other Sai devotees and parents and students from the Sai School in Thailand. The bus went straight Water Purification Units to Krabi, one of the On 9th Jan, in Muara worst hit areas in Baru village of North Thailand, and Aceh regency one preparations were water purification unit made to open a kitchen was installed by the for distribution. Medan taskforce. Medical supplies, Eight more are soon to clothing, blankets, be installed. During water and food were the two days that the taken to the site. All taskforce was there in volunteers met Handing over medicines at Sultan Iskandar Muda Hospital,Indonesia the area, doctors and together with the local Sai devotees from Medan also organized a 2 day people and a plan of action was conceived. The plan medical relief camp serving 1,487 refugees in 6 included three areas in which Sai Service was very much villages of North Aceh regency. needed. On 13th Jan, Jakarta taskforce managed to hand over another batch of antibiotics and much needed vaccines to the hospitals in Banda Aceh with the help of the Singapore Air Force stationed in Medan. Action plans are also being formulated to provide further relief aid to other inaccessible areas in the Western Coast of Aceh. THAILAND On December 29th, 2004, a team of twentyfive Sai devotees left the capital for the South. They traveled in one of the Sathya Sai School buses and another vehicle. The group included Sister Loraine Burrows, Brother Suppachi, President of the Sai Organisation of Thailand, Sister Puntip Nitising, President of the Sai Centre ofHeart 2 Heart

urgent medicines as advised by the Ministry of Health in Jakarta.

Assisting Bereaved Relatives The first was at the Pracha Santhi Suk Foundation, which had been converted into an area to receive the remains of hundreds of people who did not survive the tsunami. Sister Lorraine Burrows and other Sai devotees worked from morning until night assisting the people who were searching for their relatives. There was a desperate need for volunteers who could speak both English and Thai, as well as other European languages, in order to assist the thousands of foreign visitors who were looking for their loved ones. Hospital Translation Work The second area was at Krabi hospital. Here also there was a great need for translation and understanding of the patients and foreigners in the hospital. The hospital also served as one of the focal points65

Donated water purification unit, Muara Baru village, Indonesia Special Issue

OFFICIAL REPORT - SEVA FOR VICTIMS OF PANGGANDARAN (WEST JAVA) TSUNAMI

SAI STUDY GROUP INDONESIA(CENTRAL COUNCIL INDONESIA)Jln. Pasar Baru Selatan No. 26 Jakarta 10710, Indonesia Phone: (021) 3842313; Fax: (021) 3842312 E-mail: ssg.indonesia@gmail.com NEWS FROM SAI CENTRAL COUNCIL OF INDONESIATo From CC : : : Dr. V.K. Ravindran Central Coordinator Zone 4 Region 41 Prasanthi Council Udayo Untarya Wijaya Deputy Secretary Dr. Pal Dhall Zone Chairman (Prasanthi Council) Prof. G. Venkataraman Radio Sai Prof. Yeoh Kian Hian Zonal Medical Advisor Bro. Esvaran Central Council of Singapore I.Ketut Nurcahya Chairman Mohan Leo Deputy Chairman Ashok Nanwani Deputy Chairman Mohan Mirpuri - Advisor Phoa Krishnaputra - Advisor Pritham Kishordas Advisor Vashdev Lachmandas - Advisor Danesh Ram Vatwani Emergency Relief Tasks (Unit Head) All National & Regional Coordinators of Sai Council Indonesia 24th July 2006 Emergency Relief Tasks for South Coast Java Quake & Tsunami (Recap of reports from 19th to 21st June 2006)

Date Subject

: :

Fact Sheets: The southern coast of Java was hit by an earthquake-triggered tsunami Monday afternoon (17th July 2006), killing at least 533 people, 952 injured, 308 missing, 61,352 misplacedi and destroying houses and buildings along the coast from West Java to Yogyakarta. A series of earthquakes, the strongest measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale -- the U.S. Geological Survey put the quake at 7.7 -- triggered a tsunami that reached as high as four meters along parts of the southern coast. The earth-quake details as provided by U.S. Geological Survey:

Comment [UUW1]: New data

Magnitude Date-Time Location

7.7 (Major) Monday, July 17, 2006 at 08:19:28 (UTC) = Coordinated Universal Time Monday, July 17, 2006 at 3:19:28 PM = local time at epicenter Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones 9.222S, 107.320E

i Data from United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) Situational Report No.7 dated 21st July 2006

1

Depth Region Distances Location Uncertainty Parameters Source Event ID

34 km (21.1 miles) set by location program SOUTH OF JAVA, INDONESIA 230 km (145 miles) NE of Christmas Island 235 km (145 miles) SSW of Tasikmalaya, Java, Indonesia 250 km (155 miles) S of Bandung, Java, Indonesia 345 km (215 miles) S of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia horizontal +/- 7.5 km (4.7 miles); depth fixed by location program Nst=234, Nph=234, Dmin=>999 km, Rmss=1.12 sec, Gp= 40, M-type=teleseismic moment magnitude (Mw), Version=Q USGS NEIC (WDCS-D) usqgaf

The worse-hit area appears to be the idyllic Pangandaran resort town in Ciamis regency, West Java, where witnesses said hotels, restaurants and other buildings were destroyed by the waves. The location map:

2

Situational Report as per 19th July 2006 (source: OCHA Sitrep No.5) Actions undertaken by Sai Central Council of Indonesia (sorted chronologically): Day-1: Tuesday, 18th July 2006 Sai devotees from two Centers in West Java (namely: Sai Study Group Bandung and Sai Devotional Group Dago) conducted a survey at Pangandaran area (beach resort).

Pangandaran Beach Resort (before tsunami)3

Emergency meeting were conducted to propose action plans on how Sai Council Indonesia could provide humanitarian tasks for the victims. The resolution drawn-up was to supply preliminary aids in the form of food supplies.

Day-2: Wednesday, 19th July 2006 The following items were dispatched together with several volunteers to an emergency camp (with 2,500 inhabitants) set-up by Indonesian military in the area of Cikulu (at Kabupaten or regency of Ciamis) which took around 5 to 6 hours drive ( 200 kms from Bandung, capital city of West Java): o Rice: 500 kgs o Eggs: 200 kgs o Vegetables: 500 kgs o Cooking oil: 100 liter o Drinking (mineral) water: 100 boxes. o Sugar: 10 kgs. o Cooking spices. Based on the information provided by the local officials, currently there is no immediate need to set-up another emergency camp, as most all of the victims could still be accommodated by the camps already erected in place. Majority of the residential houses did not suffer major damages due to the tsunamis. The most severe catastrophe is mostly localized to the buildings nearby the sea-shore (which mainly consists of kiosks, temporary shelters, etc) until the radius of 2 kms.

General view of Pangandaran Beach (after tsunami)

4

Aerial view of Pangandaran Beach (after tsunami) Sai devotees were conducting more surveys in other areas, particularly at Cipatujah (where another emergency camp were set-up by the military accommodating around 800 victims). It has been decided: another batch of food supplies will be provided at the camp mentioned above on Friday, 21st July 2006 (consisting of vegetables, cooking spices & oil and several ready-made food).

Comment [UUW2]: Ammende d

Day-4: Friday, 21st July 2006 The following food supplies were distributed at the emergency camp located in the area of Cipangangesih in the village of Kelapa Genep, Cikalong district in the regency of Tasikmalaya: ii o Mineral (drinking) water: 50 boxes. o Cracker: 6 bales. o Cooking oil: 3 jerrican. o Sugar: 10 kgs. o Fresh vegetables & cooking spices. Reconsidering the relatively huge percentage of damaged houses in the surrounding area, SSG Bandung & SDG Dago will be conducting more surveys will on Monday, 24th July 2006 in order to justify the necessity to arrange further aids in the form of temporary shelters (camp). News from Bro. Danesh: Sai Council Singapore will be contributing certain amount of funds to help Sai Council Indonesia especially in providing basic humanitarian tasks related to tsunamis victims only.

ii

Based on the information provided by MetroTV news (21st July 2006), in the district of Cikalong, the casualties recorded are: 82 houses were totally shattered by tsunami, 8 houses heavily damaged and 31 houses partly damaged. As much as 49 died, 27 injured, 2 suffered severed injuries and 25 minor injuries. 5 villagers were reported to be missing. (Please find the attached news in Bahasa Indonesia).5

Karangkandri Wlahar

Java SeaJAVA, INDONESIA

CilacapGumilir

SerangSerang T angerang

Jakarta Pusat Jakarta Utara Jakarta Timur

JakartaBekasi Jakarta Selatan KarawangSidanegara

Jakarta Barat

Subang Bogor Purwakarta Kodya Bogor IndramayuCilacap

Lebak

INSET 3

Kodya Cirebon Kodya Sukabumi Kodya Bandung Majalengka Sumedang Cirebon Kodya T egal Kodya Pekalongan

BandungBandung Cianjur

T egal Kuningan Pemalang

Pekalongan

Sukabumi

Brebes

Purbalingga

Banjar Negara Ciamis Garut Banyumas Cilacap

W

T asikmalaya

INDONESIA EARTHQUAKE: JAVA JULY 16TH, 2006 INDIAN OCEANINSET 2 INSET 1 INSET 1 INSET 2Cibanten Parigi Cinalagati

INSET 3Kebumen

ROAD DISTRICT BOUNDARY

LIMITED DAMAGE MODERATE DAMAGE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE INUNDATION ZONE Sources: U.S. Government 7/20/06Cikondang

CiamisCikijing

KaliputjungT orogong Rantobatang Karangrejo Cidjulang

Ciawitali Pangadaran Gewah

Garut

T asikmalayaCibuntu Banjarwaru

Cimerak Batukaras Masawah

Cireuma

Gadog

Madasari

Cimanuk

Pamoyanan

Tjibening Legokjawa

Bulakbenda

TAKEN FROM SANATHANA SARATHI - SEP 2006

"Sanathana The Sarathi". July 2006 issueof by Sai selfless servicerendered the dedicated devotees lndonesia in continues: was On 1st June 2006.one publickitchen set up in Klatenand anotherin GunungKitul. largequantities food,healthcare of ln addition, materials,and clothes were delivered.Sai Medical Teams increased from three to six. On 3rd June 2006, Sai devoteesfrom bricksfor the Jakartabegan to manufacture of reconstruction many houses that were food The flow of relief materials, destroyed. andclothes accelerated. 4thJune2006,Sai On from Baliset up manytentsto house devotees homelessvictims. Working with Sai Youth, they began reconstructing damagedhouses. and On sth June2006,rebuilding rehabilitation work was initiatedby Sai devoteesin several villages,and Sri SathyaSai CentralCouncil provided financialaid, buildingmaterials and houses. financial resources rebuild to

from 14schools As manyas 120teachers participatedin the TeacherTrainingConference Morocco for in conducted Casablanca, introducingSri SathyaSai Human Values in the curriculum. The everyone participatedenthusiastically. teachers made sincere efforts to incorporate SathyaSai HumanValuesinto their training sessions and even in their interactions Later,variousschools duringthe conference. and reported backon how discussed together A they wouldtake SSEHVJurther. resolution was made to translateSSEHV books into their to Frenchand Arabiclanguages facilitate At use in schoolsin Morocco. the end of the all conference, the teacherswere extremely SSEHV enthusiastic eagerto implement and as oartof the curriculum. INDONESIA .i

has 2005,Indonesia been SinceDecember repeatedly struck bytsunamis earthquakes. and great need for humanitarian help There is a islands.Sri Sathya Sai in these devastated has been tirelessly in Organisation Indonesia providing disaster relief and medical care to the victims. The exemplaryand timely To ptovide relief to the victimsof the tsunami coastof Javaon by thatstruckthe south-western of mobilisation massiveresources the Sai of 17thJuly 2006, Sri SathyaSai Organisation to in Organisation response these sequential Java drew up a plan and stafted implementing was partly reportedin the naturalcalamities it immediatelv." . ) * ' . , 1 , .^. . 4 * . " + n . ^ .. *,r crlrel..A.o. ...[* ...^."-* * '..*... * r. /*.,n,l:.4.*rrScptcmber 2006 289

On 12th August2006, a free Sai Medical Camp was held in St. Louis, Missouri in which 227 patientswere seen. In additionto treatingthose in need, healthcare education and preventative healthcare screenings were provided. Most importantly, booth a was set up in the MedicalCamp titled "Sai HumanValuesand Health." Information about u.s.A. Swami's teaching humanvalues on and health Jasper, smalltown in the Stateof Texas, in English a and Spanishlanguages was made was hit by Hurricane Rita. Six monthslater, available.Dr. William Kincaid, Director the of the populationis still recoveringlrom the Health the Cityof St. Louis,Missouri for came destruction water-borne and diseases resultino to the medical camp.On behalf thecityof St. of Louis, expressed gratitude Srl Sathya he his to Sai Organisation conductingthese free for medical campsfor the peopleof St. Louis. - Prasanthi Council BHARAT AndhraPradesh: Anantapur district conducted Bal VikasChildren's Festival Anantapur Joy at on 1stand2ndJuly2006in which400 children, 110 Gurus and 100 active workersfrom all overthe district took part.50 children had the A child being examinedin the medicalcamp opportunity show their creativity making to in held at Jasper,a small town in the Stateof various articles flowerpots,bouquets, like wall Texas,which was hit by HurricaneRita. greeting hangings, cards,paintings, etc.,with from the hurricane. response this major wastemateriallike In usedCDs,leavesof to diJferent calamity, Sai devoteestrom the Sai Centres trees, flowers,etc. Some childrenwrote Sai in the Statesof Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas Ram on rice grains.14 students impressively and Louisiana,working together selflessly spoke on Swami'schildhood, IndianCulture conducted medicalcamp on 41h February and the importanceof Bal Vikas. Some a 2006 providingf ree medical care for the children showedtheirtalentin heritage sports (1)lcoo4ce),o)}co(t46o(r4cc)re e*eooolcoooloc, 46o(e+e.oo460or*60ooloo(r4ecro4coo4cooleen290 September 2006

As this disasterreliefwas beingrendered, the south-western coast oJJava was again hit by a tsunamion 17th July 2006. Sri Sathya Sai Organisation again rose to the occasion. Office bearers visited the devastatedareas, assessed damage, the ascertained needs, the drafteda plan to provide the urgently needed humanitarian aid, and began,withoutdelay, to implementthe plan. Withstanding these horrendous naturaldisasters,the people of Indonesia have been comforted the loving by careof Bhagavan Sathya Babaand His Sri Sai devotees from lndonesia.

needy.Duringthis camp,400 patientswere seen. Preventive healthscreening was done for diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, etc. Groupsof devotees visiteda nearbynursing home for the elderlyand providedlove and careto the residents.