West Sumatera Earthquake

Sept 30th 2009, disaster struck Indonesia and more than 600 were killed in one single event. My sympathies go out to the family of the victims. Life will still go on, but I can only imagine the pain that these people have to go through.

Further up north in Singapore, a tremor was felt throughout the country, especially in high rise buildings. In a way, we are lucky to be positioned just outside the danger zone of earthquakes and volcano eruptions. With high rise buildings all around us, the casualty rate would’ve been greater.

As always, when these tragedies happen, we see the goodwill of other nations come into action. Already, assistance in terms of funds and manpower is pouring in. Australia has provided A$250000 to a local NGO, US has set USD300000 (immediate) and 3 million dollars for reserves, China is providing USD500000. The European Commission has set aside 3 million Euros to aid the victims.

Saudi Arabia, provided an aircargo plane, with two units of trucks, an ambulance disaster response unit, a search and rescue team, and sniffer dogs to identify victims of the disaster. Singapore has sent a 42 team Civil Defence Force together with emergency supplies, including temporary shelters. Malaysia are sending a team of doctors to provide medical support to those affected.

These acts of kindness touch our hearts and it goes to show that there is good in the world after all. My prayers are for the victims of the earthquake and for the men and women aiding them.