60,000 Children Die In Tsunami– 5 Million People Need Aid Urgently

Over 60,000 children have dies in the tragic tsunami and the death toll will continue to rise. Of the deaths, over half are believed to have occurred in Indonesia’s Aceh Province, where Save the Children has conducted development and relief programmes since 1976. Over 5 million children and adults who survived the wall of water are in dire need of essentials such as clean drinking water, food, medial care, temporary shelter and protection from disease.

Within hours of the catastrophe, Save the Children’s local and regional staff in south eastern Asia were mobilizing to help children survive by assessing conditions and organizing the procurement and distribution of relief.

Save the Children has already distributed essential supplies including water, food and medical care to 65,000 children and their families in the most critical need in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and India. However, an estimated 5 million people urgently need food, clean water, shelter and medical care if they are to survive.

John Bowis, Executive Director of Save the Children New Zealand, said today:

“During this period of immeasurable human suffering, Save the Children is working around the clock to deliver immediate humanitarian relief. In Aceh, Sri Lanka, and India our on-ground resources, local staff and experience make us well-positioned to provide immediate and lasting assistance to children and their families.

We also will alleviate children’s emotional trauma through non-formal education and the creation of child friendly spaces for safe play. Save the Children’s long association with the worst affected communities means that we will continue to assist for the long term, ensuring that children are returned to their families and that families recover their livelihoods to ensure the well-being of the poorest children. Save the Children calls upon all caring New Zealanders to donate now so we can prevent more suffering and deaths.”

Save the Children New Zealand requests donations urgently via the freephone donation line 0800 167 168; by post to PO Box 6584, Marion Square, Wellington; or online at http://www.savethechildren.org.nz.

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