Post by steve75 on Dec 30, 2004 11:25:40 GMT -5
DAN Responds to Tsunami Tragedy
A magnitude 9.0 earthquake, the most powerful recorded in 40 years, occurred off the west coast of Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, on Dec. 26. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake, which struck at 6:58 a.m. local time, had a depth of 10 km and triggered massive tsunamis that affected several countries throughout South and Southeast Asia.
Since that time, families all over the world have been trying to discover the fate of loved ones who were living in or visiting the affected region.
Response to the disaster has been immediate but slow in execution due to poor communications, flooded roads and runways, and the massive destruction in Southeast Asia. CNN.com has posted this set of telephone numbers to call for localized information.
Tsunami Hotline Numbers:
* India: +91 11 2309 3054
* Thailand: +66 2643 5262 and 2643 5000
* Sri Lanka (residents): +94 11 536 1938
* Sri Lanka (tourists): +94 11 243 7061
* Maldives: +44 20 7224 2149
* Seychelles: +248 321 676
State Department Information
The U.S. State Department has posted this information on its website (see http://www.state.gov).
To locate America citizens: 1-888-407-4747
To provide help through the Center for Disaster Information: +1-703-276-1914
And see www.cidi.org/ or www.usaid.gov/
DAN Is Ready to Help
DAN began taking calls during the weekend of the disaster from members who needed medical evacuations and help in traveling out of the affected areas.
According to Joel Dovenbarger, DAN Vice President of Medical Services, the natural disaster in Southern Asia has overwhelmed the region’s existing emergency services.
“A distressing aspect of such tragedies is that entire countries lose communications. Resources, whether limited aircraft or limited number of phone lines, are rapidly used up. We are working to link people with providers,” he said.
This disaster has affected how DAN does its work internationally. Typically, DAN addresses caller emergencies by enlisting emergency air transport. “In most cases we set the priority; we call the emergency evacuation services etc.,” Dovenbarger said.
“But with a regional event like this, resources are limited. Emergency providers must prioritize the volume of requests they get.”<br>
As the situation on Southeast Asia unfolds in the coming days, DAN will continue to work with DAN Members and their family members to effect rescues and medical evacuations, help relay messages and provide emergency assistance to them.
If you have questions about locating friends and family in Southeast Asia, call the numbers listed above. For inquiries about DAN Members and family, call DAN.
Crisis Awareness
Here are some suggestions from the U.S. State Department in dealing with crises and natural disasters.
Keeping Informed: When a crisis occurs abroad involving large numbers of U.S. citizens, such as a natural disaster, transportation accident, civil or political unrest or a terrorist incident, the Department of State and the U.S. Embassy abroad utilize a variety of means of communicating with the American public, including the Internet.
Monitoring the Consular Updates on the Internet: Monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page and the home page for the U.S. Embassy in the foreign country for up-to-date information about the crisis. See travel.state.gov/
Communicating With Families of U.S. Citizens Involved in a Crisis: Families in the United States whose U.S. citizen relatives abroad are directly affected by the crisis can also communicate with the Department of State through our Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management at +1-202-647-5225. If a 24-hour task force or working group is established in the Department of State Operations Center to manage the crisis, you will be directed to the Task Force at +1-202-647-0900.
Letting Your Family Know You Are OK: If a crisis occurs in a country you are visiting, contact your family in the United States to reassure them regarding your safety.
If You Are in a Foreign Country Involved in a Crisis:
* Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you need help.
* Be sure to register with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate by phone, fax or in person.
* Monitor the U.S. Embassy and State Department home pages.
* Monitor Voice of America and BBC broadcasts for announcements.
- From the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs
A magnitude 9.0 earthquake, the most powerful recorded in 40 years, occurred off the west coast of Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, on Dec. 26. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake, which struck at 6:58 a.m. local time, had a depth of 10 km and triggered massive tsunamis that affected several countries throughout South and Southeast Asia.
Since that time, families all over the world have been trying to discover the fate of loved ones who were living in or visiting the affected region.
Response to the disaster has been immediate but slow in execution due to poor communications, flooded roads and runways, and the massive destruction in Southeast Asia. CNN.com has posted this set of telephone numbers to call for localized information.
Tsunami Hotline Numbers:
* India: +91 11 2309 3054
* Thailand: +66 2643 5262 and 2643 5000
* Sri Lanka (residents): +94 11 536 1938
* Sri Lanka (tourists): +94 11 243 7061
* Maldives: +44 20 7224 2149
* Seychelles: +248 321 676
State Department Information
The U.S. State Department has posted this information on its website (see http://www.state.gov).
To locate America citizens: 1-888-407-4747
To provide help through the Center for Disaster Information: +1-703-276-1914
And see www.cidi.org/ or www.usaid.gov/
DAN Is Ready to Help
DAN began taking calls during the weekend of the disaster from members who needed medical evacuations and help in traveling out of the affected areas.
According to Joel Dovenbarger, DAN Vice President of Medical Services, the natural disaster in Southern Asia has overwhelmed the region’s existing emergency services.
“A distressing aspect of such tragedies is that entire countries lose communications. Resources, whether limited aircraft or limited number of phone lines, are rapidly used up. We are working to link people with providers,” he said.
This disaster has affected how DAN does its work internationally. Typically, DAN addresses caller emergencies by enlisting emergency air transport. “In most cases we set the priority; we call the emergency evacuation services etc.,” Dovenbarger said.
“But with a regional event like this, resources are limited. Emergency providers must prioritize the volume of requests they get.”<br>
As the situation on Southeast Asia unfolds in the coming days, DAN will continue to work with DAN Members and their family members to effect rescues and medical evacuations, help relay messages and provide emergency assistance to them.
If you have questions about locating friends and family in Southeast Asia, call the numbers listed above. For inquiries about DAN Members and family, call DAN.
Crisis Awareness
Here are some suggestions from the U.S. State Department in dealing with crises and natural disasters.
Keeping Informed: When a crisis occurs abroad involving large numbers of U.S. citizens, such as a natural disaster, transportation accident, civil or political unrest or a terrorist incident, the Department of State and the U.S. Embassy abroad utilize a variety of means of communicating with the American public, including the Internet.
Monitoring the Consular Updates on the Internet: Monitor the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page and the home page for the U.S. Embassy in the foreign country for up-to-date information about the crisis. See travel.state.gov/
Communicating With Families of U.S. Citizens Involved in a Crisis: Families in the United States whose U.S. citizen relatives abroad are directly affected by the crisis can also communicate with the Department of State through our Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management at +1-202-647-5225. If a 24-hour task force or working group is established in the Department of State Operations Center to manage the crisis, you will be directed to the Task Force at +1-202-647-0900.
Letting Your Family Know You Are OK: If a crisis occurs in a country you are visiting, contact your family in the United States to reassure them regarding your safety.
If You Are in a Foreign Country Involved in a Crisis:
* Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you need help.
* Be sure to register with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate by phone, fax or in person.
* Monitor the U.S. Embassy and State Department home pages.
* Monitor Voice of America and BBC broadcasts for announcements.
- From the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs