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Tsunami help flowing out of Tyrone’s OM

By MONROE ROARK
mroark@TheCitizenNews.com

A Fayette County organization is playing a major role in providing relief for victims of the recent tsunami that devastated parts of 11 countries in Asia.

Operation Mobilization, whose American arm is headquartered in Tyrone, already has teams on the ground throughout the affected region, according to Doug Barclay, the organization’s director of resource development.

An international Christian mission agency working in more than 85 countries, OM participates in relief and humanitarian efforts on a regular basis. In those cases, such aid is seen as a way to help the people of these regions while also providing an opportunity for evangelism.

“We’re not just going in and taking care of their physical needs, but their spiritual needs as well,” said Barclay.

For emergencies like the tsunami disaster that require immediate assistance, OM has a Crisis Response Fund. The organization has received a number of calls and donations from people in the past couple of weeks, Barclay said. As this money continues to come in, OM is releasing funds from the United State to teams on the ground for use in the affected areas.

OM has identified a number of immediate needs for tsunami survivors, including safe drinking water, food, shelter and medicines such as antibiotics, pain relievers and anesthetics. Disease is a major concern, as conditions there are suitable for malaria, cholera, dysentery and other life-threatening disorders, especially since water supplies are contaminated.

The relief effort is divided into two phases. The first task is providing drinking water, dry rations, medical supplies, clothing, blankets, candles and temporary shelter, while survey teams assess the damage and long-term needs in greater detail. The second phase would involve reconstruction efforts with regard to homes and shelters.

A medical team is going to India and Sri Lanka next week, led by Dr. Patrick Railey, a local practicing physician who is also OM’s director of medical missions. The team consists of members from around the country, but most are from this area, Barclay said.

Some of the OM teams involved in this worldwide effort consist solely of OM members, while other do not. OM partners with many other missions organizations and always works through local churches in whatever region help is needed.

“OM teams are responding in several countries throughout southern Asia nd are already providing assistance with humanitarian aid, relief and sharing the hope that only Christ offers,” according to a written statement from the organization.

Teams are currently on the ground in Sri Lanka and India. OM also has survey teams in Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand evaluating the damage and determining where relief efforts are needed most.

“As the Lord leads, we will then move forward with relief and ministry efforts that are most strategic for touching, sharing, healing and transforming as many lives as possible,” the statement concluded.

OM has about 80 employees at its Tyrone headquarters, nearly all of hom are not paid by the organization but are serving as missionaries after raising their own support, according to Barclay. A handful of paid employees and some volunteers round out the local work force.

For more information about Operation Mobilization, visit www.usa.om.org or call 770-631-0432.