2011-02-25
AMDA Emergency Bulletin #1: Earthquake in New Zealand

In response to the catastrophic earthquake (mag.6.3) that struck Christchurch, New Zealand on Feb. 22nd, AMDA has deployed AMDA Multi-national Medical Mission comprised of relief personnel from Japan (two nurses, one coordinator), New Zealand (two doctors) and Samoa (one doctor).

All of the personnel will be meeting in Christchurch on Feb. 25th, and will conduct the initial needs assessment at the local evacuation shelters and medical facilities for further relief work.

Based on AMDA's fundamental spirit of "Sogo-Fujo" (a Japanese term for "mutual assistance") the Samoan doctor, who will be joining the mission, has volunteered to take part in the relief in reciprocation for the assistance toward Oct. 2009's Samoa tsunami. At the time of the disaster, AMDA donated relief goods to his hospital.

The Japanese team, that departed Japan on Feb. 24th, has carried 40 portable water tanks (10 liters) to be delivered to the victims, with 160 additional tanks to be sent by air. The water tanks were donated by courtesy of Okayama Prefecture in Japan where AMDA Headquarters is based at. The goods will be delivered with the official message from the Governor of Okayama Prefecture.

Stay tuned for updates.

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