Governments Urged to Resolve 'Serious Issues' Over Tsunami Victims in Thailand

Main Category: Aid / Disasters
Article Date: 22 Feb 2005 - 21:00 PDT


Governments of nations whose citizens are still missing after the Tsunami disaster in Thailand have been advised that the identification and return of the several thousand victims may be delayed unnecessarily unless "serious issues" with the overall management of the process are acknowledged and resolved. These delays can be avoided if prompt action is taken.

Kenyon International Emergency Services, the world's leading disaster management company, has invited senior Government representatives from countries who lost citizens to attend a meeting in Bangkok in early March, at which these issues will be discussed. Problems which Kenyon has identified include the processing of DNA material, which is being delayed because individual laboratories currently being used do not have the capability or capacity to process the large volume of samples from this disaster.

Kenyon was activated within 24 hours of the Tsunami, and has worked alongside the international Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) teams, supporting various elements of the response. Kenyon was involved because of its unparalleled experience of responding to mass-fatality events, including the Bali terrorist bombings in Indonesia, the 9/11 attacks on the United States and numerous airline and transportation accidents.

Robert A. Jensen, Kenyon's President and Chief Operating Officer, said: "The Thai Government has done everything possible to facilitate the identification of the victims of this terrible tragedy. Unfortunately, the commendable work of the DVI teams on the ground is being compromised because of a lack of understanding among many foreign Governments for the need to resolve problems such as the DNA processing. These issues require a collective, international response. Every day that the process is delayed extends the suffering and distress of families desperate to find their loved ones".

Mr Jensen added: "There is no commercial advantage to Kenyon in highlighting these issues -- for example, we do not offer DNA processing services. However, we have a responsibility to clients and to the families of the victims to speak up when we see problems developing and to help find solutions."

Kenyon International Emergency Services is the world's leading disaster management company and has responded to more than 300 mass-fatality events in its history. Kenyon works with more than 200 retained clients, including Governments, international organizations and private companies.

This is a press release from Kenyon Worldwide Disaster Management

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