UPDATE from Asia

[Charlie]

After seeing all the positive replies from many of you that cares, I thought you would be interested in knowing how things are going.

I am sure the media in North America does an excellent job in covering the situation. Because we have been quite involved with one of the local volunteer network here in Asia, we have been receiving first hand stories from volunteers, and survivors that were and are still actually in these devastated countries.

Because of continuous generosity from people like yourself from across the world, somehow food is not the greatest concern anymore. Although medical supplies, food and water ARE reaching these places, Aceh, Indonesia is still requesting for more medical supplies.

As far as they know, the recent tremor rated at 6.5 at Aceh did not cause any more casualties.

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WARNING: Descriptions below may upset those with weak stomach.
Please do not read the rest of this post if descriptions of a graphical nature upsets you.
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Due to the massive amount of accelerated rotting of human and animal corpses, disease is now their worst predator. Because the communities in whole are now replaced with nothing but ponds of water, mosquitos are now one of their threat for transmitting diseases.

Many survivors have actually lived through the horrifying waves, but subjugated to infections of their injuries. People are literally dying from even minor cuts.

Groups of human beings are gathered around LIVING out in open spaces, enduring yet more challenges from nature now in the form of rain and cold.

When the weather is good and the sun shines, the smell of roting bodies is so intolerable that every breath requires great effort. And there is no where they can go for escape.

When the rain comes, it might decrease the odor a bit but now they have to suffer the wetness out in the open.

When night falls, well... we can use our imagination.

Sanitation and hygiene is also a concern with 600 people to 1 toilet.

Mass graves are dug. In most instances, the only way they can move these decompossed human bodies safely, is by hooking them by their jaws onto one of the excavator bucket tooth, hanging them in mid air during transport to the grave yard, one at a time.

Dry ice are being used to slow down the decomposition while they try to identify the bodies, but it doesn't stop the maggots from growing. The stomach of most bodies are extremely bloated, and many even have burst. We can only imagine what is inside.

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For those of us that can afford to, please continue donating whenever possible. Because of the magnitude of the devastation, they have just started their attempt to control the situation. It will take continual efforts from all walks of life to assist these brave people in overcoming the impossible.

My apology if the above offended anyone.

Myself for one, am interested in knowing what the living conditions are like in these places.

It motivates me to appreciate life a whole lot more.

[ScudRunner]

Anyone know whats going on in the Maldives. Lots of Canucks down there any word?

[Vickers vanguard]

Good reminder charlie!
singapore?...got some excellent souvenirs from that country!..got my first type course(maintenance) with singapore airlines back in 1998.
I used to be quite religious but the recent events caused me to wonder why so many people have to die and the rest have to suffer so much!why?
It's already so painfull just to watch those poor souls in pain...over lost parents...lost childs..brothers and sisters.....
Still, you could see some people raising their hands to heavens and pray? .....yeh, still have some faith!...don't know how they do that!
One journalist from the BBC said that we in the west should feel lucky to be always on top of the wheel of fortune!....
Hope that the aid effort keeps going strong and that all the countries who plegded money for the aid keep their promises!
Latest numbers are very encouraging:
Australia today promised 674 millions us dollars
Germany the same amount!
UK promised several hundred millions pounds
The BBC had some interview with the US general in charge of the US military personel on board the Aircraft Carrier off the coast of Indonesia and he said something that really struck me, I quote: I've been serving for nearly 34 years and this mission will have the greatest impact on my life, I've never been so proud of serving a cause more than today!