Two Practical Suggestions? (Donations for Tsunami Relief Fund)

[Guest guest]

I think that we need to act, and fast -- and not worry and debate

about philosophy and logistics and so on.

 

I do, however, share Nora's very real concern when she asks: "Will

this aid actually reach those who are really in need? Look at the

situation in Acheh. Donations etc are all piled up and continue to

pour in, but there's nobody to distribute them."

 

My response has been to send cash donations directly to smaller,

local on-site causes that may be missed by the huge relief

organizations (International Red Cross, Oxfam, etc) that are getting

the bulk of the world donations.

 

It is not my place to advise anyone on whom they should give their

hard-earned money to. But I will note my choices, and I invite any

of you who may be wondering how to respond to this disaster to

consider them as well:

 

1. TAMIL ORPHANAGE RELIEF FUND (SRI LANKA)

 

Sponsored by the Sri Rajarajeswari Temple in upstate New York, which

notes: "In the Northeastern province of Sri Lanka, we spoke with the

director of an orphanage which we have been helping since 1967. A

few years back we helped to rebuild the orphanage, which is now

washed away. Fortunately, most of the 250 children survived and were

evacuated to higher ground, and they are temporarily housed in a

school, but they do not have food, clothing or medicine. They have

been subsisting on rice broth and many are sick and traumatized.

They do not even have access to pure water, since it has been

contaminated."

 

Their request for assistance specifically addresses the point I

noted above: "Fortunately there are many aid organizations working

hard to provide relief, but through our network we are aware of

reliable groups which are working in areas that many not be reached

by larger aid organizations."

 

FOR MORE INFO:

http://www.srividya.org/Srividya/index.php?/SVTS/news_events/orphanag

e_relief_fund

 

TO DONATE: http://www.srividya.org/Srividya/index.php?/SVTS/home

 

2. AMMACHI'S TSUNAMI DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS (INDIA)

>From latest Web update: "Amma is planning to build temporary tents

for the villagers who have lost their homes. (Most of the villagers

have indeed lost their homes.) 1000 Rs (around 25$) will be given to

each person to buy essential items to support their present living.

The budget is estimated around 50 Crores INR ($12 million USD). The

major cost will be to build houses and other facilities. ...

 

"There are 1,000 villagers still staying at the Engineering college.

More than 15,000 people are still fed every day with hot food. We

are also supplying food to 9 other camps. Food, essentials and

medical aid continues to be provided to evacuees at the camps as

usual. Psychiatrists from AIMS have also come to help the medical

team as there are many cases of trauma and depression. ...

 

"Relief work is also in full swing in the other parts of the

country. From immediately after the tsunami struck to date the

Chennai ashram has fed more than 50,000 displaced people,

distributed clothes, biscuits, water packets, bath soaps, detergent

soaps, toothpastes, toothbrushes, water pots & mugs."

 

FOR MORE INFO: http://www.ammachi.org/

 

TO DONATE: https://www.mothersbooks.org/donations/make-a-

donation.html