A long day in the field

It is almost 10 pm in the evening. Just finished a coordinating meet to ensure we reach the maximum number of people tomorrow in the remote areas requiring shelter, clean water, medical assistance, food and pother basics.

This morning I went to the airport at 4.30 am and flew on a chartered flight from Jakarta to the earthquake affected area of Padan. On the plane were Indonesian red Cross orthoaedic surgeons, soup kitchen managers, PSP (physiological councillors) relief and logistics experts, restoring family links team, all from the Red Cross. Some Japanese rescue team members were aboard with their rescue dogs.

Flew with Colin Tuck and PMI colleagues to inspect affected villages. What devastation ! I spend time with one elderly woman with a broken back and a large gash in her arm. Tuckey went back to the helicopter and got the firs aid kit and we dresses her room. I will write about that later. Came back after 3 hours and then two planes with shelter materials arrived from Australia. We are moving relief supplies out quickly and the medical and rescue teams continue their work.

I have found a hotel somewhere in town with water. no windows but water.

Down the road nearly one hundred children are buried under a collapsed school and rescue teams with dogs are working hard through the night with the hope of finding them alive. I hope I can sleep. I must close my batteries are almost flat. I have no electricity to charge the batteries. Good night.