SurfAid International

{{Infobox organization

| image = Medical treatment on Hinako Island after 2004 tsunami. Indonesia 2005. Photo- AusAID (10697841276).jpg

| caption = Dr Ben Gordon from SurfAid conducting health checks on the Hinako Islands after the 2004 tsunami.

| formation = {{Start date and age|2000}}

| founder = Dr. Dave Jenkins

| type = Charitable organization

| headquarters = Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia

| region = International

| website = {{URL|https://surfaid.org/}}

}}

File:SurfAid evacuating an injured man (10727844806).jpg]]

SurfAid International (often called just SurfAid) is an international charitable organization working in the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia. It was founded by Dr. Dave Jenkins of New Zealand in 2000. In 1999 he was on a surfing trip in the area and saw the health problems of the local people.{{Cite news|last1=Brummitt|first1=Chris|last2=Mason|first2=Margie|author-link2=Margie Mason|date=April 1, 2005|title=Surfing doctors group expands efforts in response to quake, tsunami|work=The Seattle Times|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/surfing-doctors-group-expands-efforts-in-response-to-quake-tsunami/|access-date=}} SurfAid's early efforts were focused on providing health education to the people and mosquito nets to prevent the spread of malaria.{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=September 25, 2007|title=Surfers and SurfAid continue to make a difference|work=The San Diego Union-Tribune|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/20070925-9999-1s25surfcol.html|url-status=dead|access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015201755/http://www.utsandiego.com/sports/20070925-9999-1s25surfcol.html|archive-date=2012-10-15}}

SurfAid came to international attention after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake when it provided medical aid to its victims. It was able to reach people on small islands, who were among the hardest hit, because it used small boats and its people were familiar with the area. SurfAid received financial aid from the government of Australia and from individual and corporate donors. Its main office is in Medan, Indonesia and it has branch offices in the United States, New Zealand and Australia.{{Cite news|last=Graham-Gungoren|first=Bridget|date=January 5, 2005|title=SurfAid International providing medical attention in Indonesia after tsunami|work=Malibu Times|url=http://www.malibutimes.com/articles/2005/01/05/news/news2.txt|url-status=dead|access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614025503/http://www.malibutimes.com/articles/2005/01/05/news/news2.txt|archive-date=2006-06-14}}

In 2007 SurfAid announced a multi-year project to control malaria throughout the Mentawai Islands in cooperation with the Indonesian government and UNICEF.{{Cite news|last=|first=|date=March 13, 2007|title=SurfAid International launches biggest program in its history|work=Transworld Business|publisher=The Enthusiast Network|url=http://business.transworld.net/1943/uncategorized/surfaid-international-launches-biggest-program-in-its-history/|url-status=dead|access-date=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109234551/http://business.transworld.net/1943/uncategorized/surfaid-international-launches-biggest-program-in-its-history/|archive-date=2014-11-09}} In 2009 SurfAid was expanding its work into the nearby Nias Islands, had received several international awards, and was receiving donations of about $3 million per year from private and corporate donors, most involved in the sport of surfing.[https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/inquirer/care-surfs-in-to-give-islanders-a-fresh-shot-at-health/news-story/a33437f0d15e3b1f0634f43453855b4a Care surfs in to give islanders a fresh shot at health], The Australian, September 12, 2009