IMARET Doctors Leave For Sulawesi To Assist Earthquake Victims

By Syed Azwan Syed Ali KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2 (Bernama) -- Three volunteers from the Islamic Medical Association of Malaysia Response & Relief Team (IMARET) left to Makkasar Monday night to assist victims of Friday's devastating earthquake that also triggered a tsunami in Palu, Sulawesi, Indonesia. The three volunteers including two doctors, left for Jakarta through an Air Asia flight Monday night and are expected to continue their journey to Makkasar after that. To be the first batch of volunteers from IMARET, the team will work with Indonesia's Red Crescent Society (BSMI) and take on the role as the forward medical team to help thousands of affected victims. IMARET Coordinator, Dr Ahmad Munawar Helmi said the first batch will be also assessing the ground situation and help identify the logistics needed for the humanitarian mission in Palu. He said the first team will also help coordinate the delivery of Inter-Agency Emergency Health Kits from the World Health Organisation. “Initial ground reports say that an estimated 1,200 cases of trauma are being reported to BSMI daily. The situation is indeed critical,” he told Bernama here Monday. The team that left for Makkasar will also be the first group of medical volunteers being sent from Malaysia to Sulawesi following the 7.5 Richter scale earthquake that hit the Palu and Donggala provinces on Friday, he said. As of Monday, fatalities following the earthquake has gone up to more than 1,200 while another 48,000 people have lost their homes and properties. Media reports meanwhile have said that more than 191,000 victims are in dire need of immediate emergency aid. – BERNAMA