Neither delegate is stranger to disaster and conflict. Dr Tim Keenan, a fifty-nine year old father of three, was one of the very few people to have worked continuously in Jenin during the devastating outbreak of violence earlier this year in Israel and the Occupied Territories and Autonomous Territories (OT/AT). He has four years experience working with Australian Red Cross including two missions in Afghanistan and OT/AT as well as a five-month mission to East Timor in 2001.

Mr Cliffe, who is Director of Nursing at the Lorne Community Hospital, Victoria, has worked with Australian Red Cross for seven years and has extensive field operation experience in Kenya, Sudan, Georgia, Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Closer to home Mr Cliffe helped coordinate the disaster and emergency response of Australian Red Cross when a tsunami struck Papua New Guinea killing over 2,000 and leaving 10,000 people homeless four years ago.

Dr Keenan will work with the Indonesian Red Cross, Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI), to assess the immediate needs of the Balinese victims of the recent bomb blast who have been severely affected by this tragedy. He will visit local hospitals and evaluate the need for Australian Red Cross involvement in clinical work and ongoing surgical assistance. Mr Cliffe, who has extensive hospital management experience, will assess the potential for future Australian Red Cross involvement in supporting PMI in its core areas of tracing, disaster preparedness and response and community health.

Dr Keenan and Mr Cliffe join Mr Nathan Rabe, International Operations Manager, Mr Ian Watts, Executive Director, Northern Territory, Ms Michele Fideli, International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Officer, Northern Territory and Mr Ian Woolverton, Communications Officer who comprise a six-member disaster response and emergency team dispatched by Australian Red Cross to Bali earlier in the week. The team will work with various representatives of the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement who are present in Bali and coordinate activities with other agencies active in the response.

Mr Nathan Rabe, International Operations Manager, Australian Red Cross said, 'Dr Keenan and Mr Cliffe are keen to get on with the job of helping to alleviate the suffering of the victims of last Saturday's bomb blast. They are both seasoned Australian Red Cross delegates who bring with them to Bali experience and skills that will assist PMI and the Balinese people during this difficult time.'

Appeal for humanitarian assistance

On Wednesday 16th October, Australian Red Cross launched an Australia-wide appeal to help the victims of the tragic Bali bombing disaster and to assist their families cope with the tremendous loss and human suffering caused by this devastating incident.

The response for humanitarian assistance from the Australian public and business community has been overwhelmingly positive. So far the total donated to the Bali Appeal stands at over $4.4 million.

It is important that the funds raised are directed where the greatest need is and where other sources of funds and support are lacking. Accordingly, Australian Red Cross will liaise with relevant government agencies and community organisations to determine the areas of greatest need.

Your donation will assist in two ways:

- to assist victims in Australia and their families

- to assist Red Cross continue its work in providing relief, dressing and medical supplies in the affected area in Bali and to cover future needs including recovery and reconstruction.

Australian Red Cross Bali Victims Appeal

- Secure on-line facilities: www.redcross.org.au
- By telephone: 24 hours Freecall 1800 339 888
- By mail: GPO Box 9949 in your capital city
- By hand: any branch of the National Australia Bank or any office of Australian Red Cross

All donations over $2 are tax deductible