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SINGAPORE: Mercy Relief has raised S$650,000 so far in aid of the earthquake victims in Padang, Indonesia.
The non-government organisation told MediaCorp this during the homecoming of its second medical relief team on Saturday afternoon.
The team has braved eight days of extreme weather - scotching hot sun in the day and cold monsoon rains at night - to offer their help to the victims of the earthquake.
They said mental preparation as well as having the support of the local groups helped to make their jobs easier to carry out.
Said Dr Teo Eng Yee, a medical officer at Changi General Hospital: "The first team that came back showed us pictures, (so) we had an idea mentally of how things are there. (It was) more or less what we expected.
"We had a lot of help from local groups that were attached to us, that were assisting us and partnering with us. That was really helpful. In terms of setting up camp, it was way better that what I expected actually, in terms of our facilities and what we had to work with."
The more experienced aid workers in the team said proper housing is needed in the area now, especially with the upcoming monsoon season.
Said Teo: "I think there is a need (for proper housing). But the needs would depend on whether it's infrastructural or medical. With reports from other organisations, then we have to decide on what our policy is. But the monsoons are coming, and the houses are not rebuilt yet."
"There is a need for temporary housing like canvases, tents for these people," continued Dr Gene Ong Yong Kwang, an associate consultant of Emergency Medicine at KK Women's and Children's Hospital. "Of course if you do that, then your health-related issues are much better managed, because of crowding issues."
Mercy Relief said that about S$350,000 out of the S$650,000 raised so far has been used.
Besides cash, Mercy Relief also received a S$13,500 in-kind donation from Tiger Airways, which helped send half a tonne of medical supplies to Padang.
Some S$250,000 has been used for food supplies and tents, and the rest to provide medical services and tents to house a temporary school.
The charity is considering using the remaining S$300,000 to build a new permanent school. - CNA/yb
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