Update Emergency missions 1st June 2008

Sichuan

AMDA has so far dispatched 29 personnel (including 12 doctors, 8 nurses, 1 pharmacist) in collaboration with other AMDA Chapters. According to local report, relief supplies such as　tents, blankets and sleeping bags are in need for evacuees out on the streets. The evacuees were obliged to move out from homes which could easily collapse in the case of after shock.

1. AMDA HQ/Taiwan Emergency Medical Mission in Sichuan

i) Sichuan Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences in Chengdu

AMDA has formed its third relief team on May 23rd for further medical assistance at the Sichuan Academy of Chinese Medicine Sciences. The team comprises 3 doctors, 2 nurses and 1 coordinator. Despite after two weeks from the devastating quake, still a number of patients have been waiting for surgical operations as well as traumatic cases commonly seen. Beside surgeries AMDA doctors are providing counseling for the latter cases.

ii) West China Hospital in Chengdu

On May 22nd AMDA’s second team has completed its four-day mission at the West China Hospital which included 2 surgeons

iii) Mobile clinic in Anxien

AMDA’s first team held mobile clinic at the mountainous village in the suburbs of Anxien. The clinic was held at a local school used for evacuation shelter.

2. Evacuation site in Sufang
AMDA’S relief team (1 surgeon, 2 nurses, 1 coordinator) has been continuing its medical relief at a gym

Myanmar

Mobile health team expands work

AMDA’s clinical staff and local township medical personnel have been workign in the remote areas of Mankaleik
RHC (Rural Health Center) of Kungyangon Township
in Yangon Division.


With 17 members, 5 doctors, 2 health assistants,
1 midwife, 3 nurses, 1 coordinator,
4 health assistants, and 1 logistic assistant in total,
the team has decided to split in two teams so as to
effectively reach severely-affected remote communities.

Under the coordination of TMO (Township Medical Officer)
of Kungyangon Township, the mobile teams plan to extend
their coverage areas to Dayae Lu RHC
and Let Khoke Gon SH (Station Hospital) sections
as soon as they complete the work in Taw Kuu.

In addition to clinical services, the teams also provide
sanitary items such as soap and water purifying tablet
along with IEC materials.

The program is based on the following...

1.Provide medical care and support to needy patients
in timely and professional manner.
2.Coordinate field work in line with MoH guidelines,
in particular those of the ER section.
3.Collaborate with existing health infrastructure and
personnel on the ground, in particular ones
in the public sector, who know the area most.
4.Promote participation from community members
who suffered but are willing to give hands
to their neighbors.
5.Maintain communication channels with various stakeholders
that include UN agencies and diplomatic missions.












AMDA-RoseCharities Canada support these missions. Please donate via www.CanadaHelps.org AMDA-Rose Charities Canada is run by volunteers and so there are almost zero administration costs. All your donation goes entirely to one or other mission (as chosen by yourself)

Images from AMDA Emergency Relief Clinics Myanmar

Update 23rd May. Sichuan Earthquake relief

1. AMDA Taiwan Emergency Medical Mission in Sichuan

On May 17th, after having obtained permission from local authority and

assessment of the area previous days, AMDA Taiwan Mission carried out

medical activities in a village located in a mountainous region of

Anxian. 3 tents were provided to the mission where temporary clinic was

set up. 10 patients received treatment.

AMDA Taiwan Mission, consisting of 17 medical professionals, was joined

by Mr. Nithian Veeravagu, a coordinator from AMDA Headquarters, Okayama,

Japan.

On May 18th, the mission was instructed by local authority to evacuate

the area because of the possibility of dam breaks. AMDA Taiwan donated

medical supplies to village hospital and doctors and headed toward

Chengdu.

On May 19th, Sichuan Provincial Health Department issued permission for

AMDA Taiwan Mission to work at West China Hospital, West China School of

Medicine, Sichuan University(Chengdu) AMDA Taiwan Emergency Medical

Mission is the first overseas organization to receive such permission to

join the staff of West China Hospital in their efforts to treat the

victims of the earthquake disaster. As of 19th, there are 2 orthopedic

doctors, 2nurses and 2 coordinators in the mission.

2. AMDA Sichuan Emergency Medical Mission

AMDA Sichuan Emergency Medical Mission made up of 1 surgeon, 2 nurses,

and 1 coordinator. The team continues to provide medical care to the

victims in a gym, designated evacuation spot in Sufang.

Rose Charities Canada supports AMDA Canada and AMDA International. Please donate via www.CanadaHelps.org All donaations to the China Earthquake fund go to these efforts.

Myanmar / Burma update relief Update 20-May-08

AMDA mobile clinics (commenced 11-May-08) continue to operate at full capacity. Hundreds of victims treated though needs are overwhelming.

Please Donate via Canada Helps. www.CanadaHelps.org - Rose Charities is listed there in the emergency donor section. All donations go directly to the AMDA clinics which began their work within a few days after the cyclone had struck.

China earthqake and Myanmar cyclone disaster update 16th May 2008

For todays update please cut and paste into your server the YouTube clip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4ws4-rT1LU

Or go to www.YouTube.com and search under AMDA Canada (or) RoseCharities

AMDA International field assessor Veeravagu Nithiananthan is now on site working with combined AMDA team. Expected to report back to AMDA HQ in next 24 hours re further team deployment.

Myanmar and China: Donations continue to be needed. Please see www.CanadaHelps.org where Rose Charities is listed

Updates 15th May 2008

China earthquake: An AMDA-RoseCharities Canada / Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) response team is now preparing to leave for Szechuan. Dr Collin Yong (AMDA-Rose Canada) is planning to join the CUHK team members in Hong Kong and proceed from there to Szechuan. Yesterday the AMDA Japan / AMDA Taiwan team departed to join their local medical response counterparts in the area.
Dr Collin Yong is a pediatrician at B.C. Childrens Hospital and has extensive international experience including tsunami in Sri Lanka (see picture) on the AMDA-RoseCharities team.

Myanmar. Clinic work continues as per report yesterday. The death toll is now officially over 40.000 and it is likely that there are many more dying daily as many of the areas affected are reported to be still isolated.

Donors. A huge thankyou to all those donors who have helped so far. RoseCharities funds go directly to the Myanmar clinic and the China earthquake medical team support. We are all volunteers so there are no administration fees. Easiest donation method is via www.CanadaHelps.org (look under Rose Charities). There, you can choose either cause. Donations are tax deductable. Please help if you can even small amounts add up.

Myanmar cyclone relief update. 14th May 2008

1. AMDA has started Mobile clinic activities from the 11th of May for

the victims of recent cyclone.

2. The clinic is conducted by local medical professionals under the guidance

of the local Ministry of Health.

3. AMDA-RoseCharities Canada have dispatched funds to help with this effort. Further funds are needed.

DONORS. Please see www.CanadaHelps.org (and look under Rose Charities)

Szechuan China Earthquake update 14th May 2008

AMDA-RoseCharities Canada is involved now in the following initatives

1) Supporting and AMDA Taiwan / AMDA HQ medical support team initiative scheduled to start work today with local counterparts

2) Sending of an experienced AMDA-RoseCharities paediatrician to join University of Shanghai paediatric relief team within next few days

3) Liaising with contacts at Chinese University of Hong Kong to recruit professional personnel to assist activities

4) Fund raising for above initiatives and or general relief for this disaster

DONORS. Please go to www.CanadaHelps.org and look under Rose Charities. There is a special donation field for the Chinese Earthquake Relief fund. UK, USA, Australia, NZ donors can also go through their own RoseCharities group sites (see www.RoseCharities.net ). Thank you. Everything you donate goes to relief with zero admin. costs as Rose Charities is run by volunteers.

Szechuan (China) earthquake, and Myanmar relief updates 13th May 2008

A powerful earthquake with a 7.9 magnitude hit the central region of China. The earthquake brought down buildings schools and chemical plants, killing about 10,000 people in the towns set in the hilly areas north of Sichuan’s provincial capital Chengdu. The earthquake happened at about 14:30 and could be felt as far as Vietnam. Rescuers are still searching frantically for more survivors among the rubble. Continuing rain in the region is hampering the effort of rescue. According to the latest news, in the town of Juyuan, south of the epicenter, a three story high school collapsed, burying about 900 students and killing at least 50.

Rose Charities is supporting its senior partner in international disaster relief, AMDA. AMDA Taiwan has a request pending to the Chinese Government to send a relief team and AMDA HQ is in negotiation to send a team from Japan. AMDA-RoseCharities Canada has experienced disaster personnel standing by (Dr Collin Yong - B.C. Childrens's Hospital, and R.N. Kirsten Reems - VHG) and is collecting donations and resources to assist.

In Myanmar, AMDA Myanmar health team is currently assisting in the disaster area manned mainly by local AMDA employees and volunteers. Funding has been sent form AMDA-Rose Canada but more is needed.

News from AMDA Myanmar Relief. Also see www.AMDA.or.jp

May 08, 2008

Myanmar Cyclone Disaster I

Early morning of the 2nd of May a powerful cyclone, Nargis hit the central and southern part of Myanmar. According to the state owned TV station there are 22,000 people confirmed dead and more than 41,000 are missing. The assessment of damaged has been faced with delays and the number of victims is more likely to increase. According to some latest unconfirmed reports the death toll might rise up to 100,000.

According to the Government of Myanmar 5 regions, Yangon, Ayeyarwady, Bago divisions and Mon and Kayin States have been affected by the Cyclone and as a result are decreased as disaster areas. It is also reported that there are more than 100,000 people are facing lack of evacuation centers and drinking water. Many of them are seeking shelters at their relatives or friend’s house and temples.

Because of the scale of disaster and AMDA’s presence in the country for more than ten years, there have been a lot of inquiries and interest from the media, general public as well as from our partners and donors. The safety of AMDA-MINDS staffs (2 Japanese and 9 local staffs) is confirmed and there are no injuries. However it was reported that some of the local staff’s home were damaged by the cyclone and water.

Because of the damage to the infrastructure communication was quite difficult to establish and fallen trees and roofless houses can be seen everywhere. Cost of living has soared since the disaster. Cost of food has doubled and the bus fare has gone up by 20 times. Markets and banks have partially opened in Yangon. Public hospitals have suffered considerable damages from the cyclone and some of them are not in operation. Infrastructure has broken down and most of them are still not in operation. Especially water is causing a lot of concern. Many of the victims are drinking lake water which may result in greater health problem. Myanmar Government’s national disaster center is asking the world community for the following items: funding, medicine, tent, blue sheets, instant food, construction material, blankets, and summer clothing.
Considering the scale of damage AMDA is planning to mobilize local doctors and medical staff from the current office location in central dry area to the affected areas.

Head quarter plans to organize mobile clinic with AMDA Myanmar office and its local staff and has already given instruction to get the approval from the government.
UN, its agencies and other big organizations are sending in relief goods to Myanmar. AMDA could act as a coordinator in distributing these goods to the people in need. The instruction has been also given to look into the possibilities.
Latest news:
Early this morning (8th May) one of the head quarter staff has left Japan for Bangkok to purchase relief items for the victims.

MYANMAR CYCLONE RELIEF UPDATE

Current estimates.. 22,000 dead, over 100,000 (probably more) homeless. Many areas still cut off. AMDA-RoseCharities Canada is supporting AMDA HQ and AMDA Myanmar relief efforts. Below is latest update of progress....

AMDA Headquarters staff are in close contact with AMDA Myanmar office

since May 3rd. Because of the damage to the infrastructure
communication was quite difficult to establish but thanks to the hard
work of our staff we are keeping good communication line with the
Myanmar office. AMDA's office has also been hit by cyclone and some of
our local staff have suffered damages to their houses but fortunately
they all are fine and eager to offer assistance to other victims.
According to their information, cost of living has soared since the
disaster. Markets and banks have partially opened in Yangon. There are
no official evacuation sites for the victims, many of them are seeking
shelters at their relatives or friends house. Public hospitals have
suffered considerable damages from the cyclone and some of them are not
in operation. Rich people go to private clinics for the treatment of
injuries. Infrastructure has broken down and most of them are still not
in operation. Especially water is causing a lot of concern. Many of
the victims are drinking lake water which may result in greater health
problem. Myanmar Government's national disaster center is asking the
world community for the following items: funding, medicine, tent, blue
sheets, instant food, construction material, blankets, and summer
clothing.
AMDA's position at this moment....
1 Centers are being set up to take care of the health problem.
As many of the big organizations, such as UN and
related organizations, have been faced with difficulties getting into
the country, AMDA's achievement in the past and our present activities
in Myanmar are great advantage in implementing ER activities this time.
Our Yangon office is useful as a strategic basis
for ER activities.
2. Our Myanmar activities in Myanmar means that . There we have local doctors and other staff members
working for our project who can be very good possible human resources
for our ER activities.
3. Our International Chapter members are also our great assets as
usual. ASEAN countries have easier access to Myanmar. Many of them do
not need visa to enter Myanmar. As we have chapters in these countries,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, we may be able to
form AMMM depending on the permission from Myanmar government. Nepal as
well as India Chapters may also be able to take part in this. AMDA Canada
is offering assistance as well. Whether we are able to
dispatch AMMM to Myanmar or not, depends on the permission from Myanmar
Government.

The plan:
1. Medical... Mobile clinics with AMDA Myanmar- Govt approval pending

2. General relief... Distribution of relief materials from AMDA as well as other donating agencies