From AlertNet: "Cereal stocks could run out by next month in Ethiopia where 2.4 million people are in immediate need of food aid, the United Nations warned on Tuesday. Some 11 percent of the emergency food aid required in March has been provided by donors, leaving a shortfall of 39,000 metric tons of cereals, the U.N. Office of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported."
Day 9 - Amani Toomer and Tony Richardson's Tsunami Trip Draws to a Close
J. Ethan Medley, NY Giants
February 19, 2005
Today was our final day of the trip, and with our planned visit to Ampara canceled, it was fairly low-key. After getting out of the hotel for a little bit, we all returned to pack our bags while Amani, Yola, and Tony prepared for the afternoon press conference. Members of the local and international press came out to hear first-hand about our trip and experiences in Sri Lanka, along with members of the World Food Program (WFP) and representatives from the US Embassy. Also in attendance was Aaron Taylor, former NFL offensive lineman and current ABC College Football analyst, who is in Sri Lanka working to build temporary housing for those in need. A friend of Amani and Yola, he heard our group was in town and came over to catch up briefly before our departure.
Day 8 - Amani Toomer and Tony Richardson Visit Sri Lanka
J. Ethan Medley, NY Giants
February 18, 2005
After waking up to our customary breakfast at the hotel, our group piled into our vans and traveled to a tented camp for displaced families in Godagama. Many people have been living here since the disaster, with the camp still a work in progress. We came to lend a helping hand, digging a deep water drainage pit with shovels and hoes, and cleaning up debris and trash that remained around the camp. Many things are different here, as villages have no form of trash removal, so they simply burn it. While dug and cleaned, some of the villagers pumped a water well that had become too dirty to use. As we were leaving, a water truck arrived to fill their tanks with fresh water.
Day 7 - Amani Toomer and Tony Richardson Visit Sri Lanka
J. Ethan Medley, NY Giants
February 17, 2005
After waking up to a bacon and egg breakfast we jumped right into action this morning, heading over to the Habaraduwa Multi-purpose Cooperative Society, where we packed individual rations of food. The Sri Lankan government has identified individuals in need, and is working with organizations like the World Food Program (WFP) to supply them with weekly rations. Our task this morning was to open up large bags of rice, pulses (lentils) and sugar, measuring and weighing them and then packaging them for distribution to local villages. Each individual is provided with a weekly ration of 2.8 kilograms of rice, .42 kilograms of pulses, .41 kilograms of sugar and a small amount of cooking oil. We quickly learned that it is a task that requires efficiency, as it is important to prepare as many rations as possible, and attention to detail, in order to make sure that everyone gets their fair share. This morning we were able to prepare 285 packages of rice, and 350 packs of pulses and sugar.
Day 6 - Giants Amani Toomer and Chiefs Tony Richardson Arrive in Sri Lanka
J. Ethan Medley, NY Giants
February 16, 2005
The second leg of our two week journey with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) began today as Amani, Yola and I arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka at 4am. After getting a few precious hours of sleep, we all headed down to the hotel lobby to grab a bite to eat and meet the Sri Lanka WFP staff that would accompany us for the remainder of our trip. Also accompanying us on the rest of our trip is Tony Richardson, fullback of the Kansas City Chiefs, who was arriving straight from his victory in Honolulu in the NFL Pro Bowl.
Day 5 - Amani Toomer Arrives in Sri Lanka, Kurt Warner Returns Home
J. Ethan Medley, NY Giants
February 15, 2005
Our final day in Indonesia was a restful one. Kurt Warner and his wife, Brenda had a departing flight for the United States late in the morning, while Amani, Yola, myself and the rest of the World Food Program staff who we are traveling with had most of the afternoon to spend in our hotel before our evening flight for Colombo, Sri Lanka, with a stop along the way in Singapore.
Day 4 - Kurt Warner and Amani Toomer Visit Indonesia
J. Ethan Medley, NY Giants
February 14, 2005
Today was our final day in Banda Aceh, on the northern coast of Indonesia. It began with a press conference at 10am, where numerous reporters came out to speak with Kurt, Brenda, Amani and Yola, and to hear more about our trip so far. The local media in Indonesia also expressed appreciation for our visit, with the hopes that it will keep America's attention on the rebuilding effort, which will take years to complete. The town's Media Center had before-and-after aerial photos of Banda Aceh, which clearly showed the difference in the land since December 26. We also received confirming news that on the unprotected coast, the 20-foot tsunami hit land at an estimated 500 miles an hour. We heard previously that the wave hit with the speed of a plane, but found it hard to believe. Unfortunately, the already enormous death toll continues to rise, as over 1,000 bodies are still being found here each day as the cleanup continues.
Day 3 - Kurt Warner and Amani Toomer Visit Indonesia
J. Ethan Medley, NY Giants
February 13, 2005
Sunday morning got off to an early start for almost everyone in out tent, as the combination of humidity, mosquito netting and time zone differences had everyone unable to sleep past 4am. Amani, Kurt, Yola, and I grabbed chairs outside in an effort to take advantage of the only palatable temperatures that the day would offer. At 4:30, the calls to mosque sounded out from all sides of town and continued for over an hour. Four hours later, the day got off to an even shakier start, as a fairly mild, but sustained earthquake shook our camp. Not long after, the vibrations returned during aftershocks. We were told later that the quake registered in the 5's on the Richter Scale. It was enough to shake our tents and chairs, but not quite big enough to cause any damage.
Day 2 - Kurt Warner and Amani Toomer Visit Indonesia
J. Ethan Medley, NY Giants
February 12, 2005
Today was our second day in Indonesia, and started with a 6AM flight from Jakarta Halim Military Airport to the coastal region of Banda Aceh on a United Nations Humanitarian Air Services plane. This gave us our first glimpse of the damage caused by the tsunami as we flew over the coastline. Vast amounts of coastal land are blackened and vacant, with the exception of an occasional structure that was sturdy enough to withstand the water's force. Contrastly, there are areas immediately next to this land, that the water did not reach, which are spectacular to the eye: vibrant green rice patties, villages built amongst palm trees and mountains covered with vegetation that drops right into the blue ocean.