In response to the many requests from clients and staff around the world, International SOS has established a charity fund in Indonesia to raise funds for victims of the Tsunami in the northern part of Sumatra.
The "International SOS North Sumatra Relief Fund" is directed at collecting cash donations specifically for medical equipment, supplies and other humanitarian projects in Northern Sumatra. Sumatra is the sixth largest island in the world and is the largest part of Indonesia.
The recent Tsunami devastated the city of Banda Aceh, located on the North Western tip of the island and the capital city of the province of Aceh. The Tsunami then swept down the North Western coast of Sumatra, devastating villages and settlements along the coastline, particularly the island of Nias in the province of North Sumatra, just to the south of Aceh province.
Dr Pascal Rey-Herme, one of the founders of the company is personally involved in coordinating support of the International SOS medical and logistics teams to government agencies, NGO's and clients in the affected areas.
He comments: "There has been a tremendous response to this terrible humanitarian tragedy and over 60 charities are now focused on supplying food, water, water purifying equipment and other immediate items. We felt that we wanted to do something that would help to raise funds to cater for medical and humanitarian projects that will be required in the mid-term."
Dr Rey-Herme continues "Since Tuesday 28th December, our personnel have been working on the ground in North Sumatra to assist members and work with medical providers in the area. Based on the information collected by them, we will be preparing a priority list of projects that will have a mid-to-long term impact on helping the affected population attain a greater level of medical self-sufficiency in the region.
"International SOS will cover all administration costs of the fund and ensure that all monies are spent on the victims of this tragedy."
Launched initially in the International SOS Cipete Clinic in Jakarta on Friday 31st December, International SOS is delighted to confirm that with the help of their foundation donor Thiess, one of Australasia's leading integrated engineering and services providers, the fund has already raised USD $95,000 mark. Its goal is to raise at least USD $300,000 by 30th January 2005.
Meanwhile, International SOS is continuing work on the ground to provide support to organisations who have either been affected by the tragedy or who are involved in the relief effort. Medical and Operations specialists have been deployed to Aceh and Medan (North Sumatra, Indonesia), Phuket (Thailand), Male (Maldives) and Colombo (Sri Lanka). These teams are on the ground in the affected areas, working closely with local emergency authorities.
A temporary 24-hour Alarm Centre has also been set up in Phuket, manned by three senior doctors. Additional teams are in Krabi and Phang Nga to visit hospitals and render medical assistance and support to clients.
On the ground resources are backed up by crisis management teams at the company's regional Alarm Centres in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and India, which have handled more than 1,000 client requests for assistance.
To date, International SOS has evacuated more than 35 victims of the disaster out of affected areas. The majority were tourists vacationing in Thailand. They were airlifted from Krabi, Surat Thani, Phuket and Colombo to seek medical treatment in Bangkok and Singapore. The youngest victim air-lifted was seven years old.
In addition to 24/7 support from International SOS teams operating globally, a dedicated Tsunami website (www.internationalsos.com/members_home/Tsunami) has been launched for all clients to provide regular updates on each of the affected areas and provide advice on health and safety matters. The website includes information on the management of missing persons; the deceased and DNA testing; national hotlines for assistance and advice; Aid worker health and safety; medical and security updates and advice on travel in the region.
About International SOS
International SOS (http://www.internationalsos.com/) is the world's leading provider of medical assistance, international healthcare, security services and outsourced customer care.
International SOS uses its expertise to help organisations manage the health and safety risks facing their international travellers, expatriates, and global workforce. This includes setting up and managing operations on their behalf in remote locations. It also enhances companies' products by providing expert, outsourced customer care and added value services.
The company's strength stems from the expertise of its people, worldwide reach and a commitment to deliver flexible, customer focused solutions. International SOS remains an independent organisation, with over 20 years experience, employing 4000 people, a quarter of whom are medical professionals.
International SOS works in partnership with businesses, governments and non-profit organisations and currently provides key services to over 70% of the Fortune Global 100 companies.
For more information contact:
Erin M. Giordano
International SOS Assistance, Inc.
3600 Horizon Boulevard, Suite 300
Trevose, PA 19053
USA
Tel: +1-215-942-8078
Mobile: +1-267-242-0875
Fax: +215-942-8299
Email: erin.giordano@internationalsos.com
