GLOBAL SIKHS: MISSION IN ACEH
(Jan 11 - Report 1)
1. SHIPS IN ACTION
AT this juncture, both ships on the GLOBAL SIKHS mission are already in
the
waters just outside Banda Aceh. The ships -- two large yatchs which left
on
Friday with 23 GLOBAL SIKH volunteers and 22 crew -- reached Pulau Weh
(just
north of Banda Aceh) on Saturday.
Yesterday (Jan 10), the third ship with additional supplies, linked up
with
them. After unloading its content, she began her return journey to
Langkawi,
an island on the north-west of the Peninsular Malaysia.
The two GLOBAL SIKHS vessels and the Rainbow Warrior belonging to
international environmental group GREENPEACE are the only three civilian
ships out in the waters of Banda Aceh. A couple of miles further, our
volunteers can see the giant US navy carrier.
Yesterday, four volunteers from ship one, carrying mostly the medical
team,
went on shore. The four -- Patty (owner of the boat), John, Rishiwant
Singh
and Dr Jaswant Singh -- were tasked with the job of finding out more
information to map out the next phase of the mission.
They spent a couple of hours on land, talking to Government bodies,
other
aid agencies and local leaders.
GLOBAL SIKHS is spearheaded by SIKH NAUJAWAN SABHA MALAYSIA
and UNITED SIKHS, a global non-profit, non-governmental human-development organization, under their GHANAIA Tsunami Relief Project, along with a Langkawi-based sailors group called WAVES OF
MERCY; and they have one advantage -- they are about the only independent aid
relief
team that is mobile enough to move about. The ships at their disposal provide
them
with an added advantage -- they could go to areas that other aid workers
will find it difficult to reach, unless with aeriel help.
2. BAD WEATHER
As it is, reports are still filtering in that some areas of Aceh have
yet to
be penetrated by aid workers.
However, bad weather can hamper their movement. Today, both ships have
moved
to Pulau Weh to seek shelter from the bad weather expected to descend
upon
Aceh.
"The weather is worsening. The ships will move to Pulau Weh for safety
ebfore embarking on its next mision," says Paramjeet Singh from the
engineerig division of Malaysia Airlines (MAS). Paramjeet has been
manning
the command and control centre for the last few days.
3. VOLUNTEERS
Ever since word went out about the mission, many people have come
forward to
volunteer their services. The energy level is high and excitement is all
around. Volunteers are coming from all races and religions.
The Sabha House, the headquarters of SNSM, is packed with people. There
are
volunteers doing all kinds of activities -- packing and arranging
medicines
and food donated by well-wishers, a reception team to register
volunteers,
the 24-hour command and control centre, and a host of other activities.
4. LOUNGE AND INFORMATION CENTRE
The GLOBAL MISSIOM has created a lounge and information centre at Sabha
House. Visitors and volunteers will be able to get the latest
information on
the mission,. The lounge has a seating area and is equipped with
television
linked to international news channels like CNN and BBC.
5. MISSION FUNDING
As with any mission, funding is critical the continuation of the Aceh
humanitarian relief task undertaken by GLOBAL SIKHS. The good news:
people
are already coming forward to engage themselves in the mission, either
by
giving us cash donations or in kind.
"We are also trying to tap into larger corporations and organisations.
This
mission will not go far without the required funding," says Jagdeep
Singh,
an energetic young member of the SNSM executive committee. Jagdeep, an
accountant by practice, plays a key role in the GLOBAL SIKHS fund
sourcing
team.
To maintain transparency, GLOBAL SIKHS will publish the accounts for the
mission. The accounts will be made available on its website, probably on
a
monthly basis.
If you would like to forward your donation for this tsunami disaster,
GLOBAL
SIKHS would be humbled to be he receipient. The necessary infromation
will
be made available on its website.
