Posted on 12/30/2004 9:11:33 AM PST by OESY
Millions of dollars are flowing into the coffers of major disaster relief organizations to help victims of the tsunami that ravaged countries on the Indian Ocean.
A man walked into the Atlanta office of CARE USA, a branch of the international aid organization, and handed the receptionist a check for $10,000. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has allotted $3 million for food, water, shelter and health care, and organizations report that their Web sites are overwhelmed by people seeking to donate electronically.
The money could not come at a better time, aid officials say. Many of the organizations that traditionally swing into action to address emergencies are already working in other parts of the world, like Afghanistan, Iraq and Sudan, that are afflicted by crises, and they are stretched thin.
"Just having those three crises happening simultaneously and having them be equally contentious was unique, and now this has upped the ante," said Susan Laarman, a spokeswoman for Mercy Corps. "We're up to the task, but it is certainly an unusual time in history."
While the challenges of this disaster are typical of any emergency, in this case they are multiplied over several countries and regions, many of which were destitute.
"When you have a catastrophe like this in places that are already suffering from poverty, they are disproportionately worse off," said Ahuma Adodoadji, director of emergency and humanitarian assistance at CARE USA.
The first shipments of international aid have started arriving across the region, officials said.
An eight-member team from Doctors Without Borders landed in Aceh Province in Indonesia on Wednesday and set up a tent to provide primary health care services, supported by two planeloads of supplies, including water and sanitation support and installation systems.
"Things are really drastic there," said Catrine Schulte-Hillen, program director of the organization's United States operations. "There are no buildings standing."
Conditions imposed by the disaster will limit the group's response initially. For instance, the team would like to use a helicopter to try to get a better read on the extent of the devastation in areas outside of Banda Aceh, but obtaining gasoline is virtually impossible, Ms. Schulte-Hillen said.
Save the Children was one of the only organizations to have a staff in Indonesia's Aceh region when the tsunami hit, a situation that has been both a blessing and a curse. The organization's finance assistant, Suka Mardiah, and her baby were killed, two staff members are missing and two others are missing family members.
Jailani, the organization's driver, was swept out to sea and presumed dead until he walked into the office this morning, after swimming back to shore. "
At the same time we're sending in large quantities of baby foods and medical supplies for general relief efforts, we're also sending in food packages for our staff who have lost everything they owned," said Rudy von Bernuth, vice president for humanitarian programs at Save the Children USA.
Mercy Corps said some of the plastic sheeting it intended for use as temporary shelter in Aceh would have to be used for makeshift body bags. The emergency stage of the crisis there is expected to last a year.
The airport there can accommodate mid-size planes, Mr. von Bernuth said, but it is backed up because of the demand from relief organizations trying to get supplies and medicine into the area, as is another, larger airport. Customs clearance is still iffy, and transportation and accommodation for arriving relief workers is hard to come by. Communications are almost nonexistent.
In Sri Lanka, Mercy Corps estimates that one million or more people are homeless, and delivery is complicated because most supplies will have to be delivered through Colombo, which had the country's only significant airport. The wave uprooted mines that were buried during Sri Lanka's civil war, and aid officials are scurrying to alert people to stay away from them.
The United Nations World Food Program had stock there, and more was coming in on trucks, Mr. von Bernuth said, and some wells have been dug and temporary shelters erected.
Coordinating groups have been set up in Sri Lanka and India to ensure that organizations and government agencies do not duplicate efforts and that the work they are doing addresses the existing needs. The large relief agencies are accustomed to working together, and in some cases the United Nations is designated as the coordinator, Mr. Adodoadji said.
Relief agencies have asked the public to contribute money because shipping goods from the United States to the disaster areas is complicated and expensive.
Ms. Laarman of Mercy Corps said the organization was stunned to have raised $1.5 million in less than four days, outpacing the previous record of $600,000 over the same time period for Kosovo. Yesterday the organization collected more over the Internet than it ever has, $556,000 compared with $96,000 a year ago for the earthquake that struck Bam, Iran.
Organizations are concerned, however, that the huge groundswell of philanthropy directed to this crisis will divert assistance from other sites of catastrophe. "Darfur is still a huge challenge, an emergency situation with serious security concerns," Ms. Schulte-Hillen said. "In the Republic of Congo, we're seeing massive displacement with new outbreaks of war. The support for this new crisis is great, but I hope we will not forget other ongoing emergencies."
Agencies Accepting Aid Dollars
Following are some of the agencies accepting contributions for aid to people affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Asia.
ACTION AGAINST HUNGER
247 West 37th Street, Suite 1201
New York, N.Y. 10018
212-967-7800 x108
www.actionagainsthunger.org
AMERICAN JEWISH WORLD SERVICE
45 West 36th Street, 10th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10018
800-889-7146
www.ajws.org
AMERICAN JEWISH JOINT DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE
South Asia Tsunami Relief
Box 321
847A Second Avenue
New York, N.Y. 10017
212-687-6200 ext. 851
www.jdc.org
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE
AFSC Crisis Fund
1501 Cherry Street
Philadelphia, Pa. 19102
888-588-2372
www.afsc.org
AMERICAN RED CROSS
International Response Fund
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, D.C. 20013
800-HELP NOW
www.redcross.org
CARE
151 Ellis Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
800-521-CARE
www.care.org
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES
Tsunami Emergency
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, Md. 21203-7090
800-736-3467
www.catholicrelief.org
CONCERN WORLDWIDE U.S.
104 East 40th St. Suite 903
New York, N.Y. 10016
www.concernUSA.org
DIRECT RELIEF INTERNATIONAL
27 South La Patera Lane
Santa Barbara, Calif. 93117
805-964-4767
www.directrelief.org
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS
P.O. Box 1856
Merrifield, Va. 22116-8056
888-392-0392
www.doctorswithoutborders.org
EPISCOPAL RELIEF AND DEVELOPMENT
Emergency Fund
P. O. Box 12043
Newark, NJ 07101
800-334-7626
www.er-d.org
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF RED CROSS/RED CRESCENT
www.ifrc.org
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS
Earthquake/Tsunami Relief
1919 Santa Monica Boulevard, Suite 300
Santa Monica, Calif. 90404
800-481-4462
www.imcworldwide.org
INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES
Asia Disaster Response
P.O. Box 630225
Baltimore, MD 21263-0225
877-803-4622
www.iocc.org
ISLAMIC RELIEF USA
Southeast Asia Earthquake Emergency
P.O. Box 6098
Burbank, Calif. 91510
888-479-4968
www.irw.org/asiaquake
LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF
700 Light Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
800-LWR-LWR-2
www.lwr.org
MERCY CORPS
Southeast Asia Earthquake Response
Dept. W
P.O. Box 2669
Portland, Ore. 97208
800-852-2100
www.mercycorps.org
OPERATION USA
8320 Melrose Avenue, Suite 200
Los Angles, Calif. 90069
800-678-7255
www.opusa.org
OXFAM AMERICA
Donor Services Department
26 West Street
Boston, MA 12111-1206
800-77-OXFAM
www.oxfamamerica.org
SAVE THE CHILDREN
Asia Earthquake/Tidal Wave Relief Fund
54 Wilton Road
Westport, Conn. 06880
800-728-3843
www.savethechildren.org
UNICEF
General Emergency Fund
333 E. 38th Street
New York, NY 10016
800-4-UNICEF
www.unicef.org
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME
US Friends of the WFP
PO Box 11856
Washington, D.C. 20008
www.wfp.org/donate
WORLD VISION
P.O. Box 78481
Tacoma, Wash. 98481
www.WorldVision.org
Are We Stingy? Yes
New York Times Editorial Published: December 30, 2004
President Bush finally roused himself yesterday from his vacation in Crawford, Tex., to telephone his sympathy to the leaders of India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia, and to speak publicly about the devastation of Sunday's tsunamis in Asia. He also hurried to put as much distance as possible between himself and America's initial measly aid offer of $15 million, and he took issue with an earlier statement by the United Nations' emergency relief coordinator, Jan Egeland, who had called the overall aid efforts by rich Western nations "stingy." "The person who made that statement was very misguided and ill informed," the president said.
We beg to differ. Mr. Egeland was right on target. We hope Secretary of State Colin Powell was privately embarrassed when, two days into a catastrophic disaster that hit 12 of the world's poorer countries and will cost billions of dollars to meliorate, he held a press conference to say that America, the world's richest nation, would contribute $15 million. That's less than half of what Republicans plan to spend on the Bush inaugural festivities.
The American aid figure for the current disaster is now $35 million, and we applaud Mr. Bush's turnaround. But $35 million remains a miserly drop in the bucket, and is in keeping with the pitiful amount of the United States budget that we allocate for nonmilitary foreign aid. According to a poll, most Americans believe the United States spends 24 percent of its budget on aid to poor countries; it actually spends well under a quarter of 1 percent.
Bush administration officials help create that perception gap. Fuming at the charge of stinginess, Mr. Powell pointed to disaster relief and said the United States "has given more aid in the last four years than any other nation or combination of nations in the world." But for development aid, America gave $16.2 billion in 2003; the European Union gave $37.1 billion. In 2002, those numbers were $13.2 billion for America, and $29.9 billion for Europe.
Making things worse, we often pledge more money than we actually deliver. Victims of the earthquake in Bam, Iran, a year ago are still living in tents because aid, including ours, has not materialized in the amounts pledged. And back in 2002, Mr. Bush announced his Millennium Challenge account to give African countries development assistance of up to $5 billion a year, but the account has yet to disperse a single dollar.
Mr. Bush said yesterday that the $35 million we've now pledged "is only the beginning" of the United States' recovery effort. Let's hope that is true, and that this time, our actions will match our promises.
I wonder. Where are all the Muslims aiding their fellow Muslims? And should the Muslim victims accept aid from infidels? Aren't we still the Great Satan?
I'm amazed that these governments have the nerve to ask for donations, when the dictators have millions squirrelled away, and will undoubtedly help themselves to a significant portion of any cash aid. And all the dead people will still be dead.
and I wonder, do all Muslims consider us infidels? I mean, even now, could people try and put all the bullshit aside?
If they believe the Koran, they consider us infidels.
I still don't think you can stigmatise a whole group of people like that. I do not hate them or anyone. Even those that promote violence against us. I am sure that by helping those in need, that which you project to them, will influence them positively, no?
Bush and Other Leaders Quick to Offer Condolences and Aid
By ALAN COWELL
Published: December 27, 2004
LONDON, Dec. 26 - From President Bush to Pope John Paul II, the world's political and spiritual leaders urged support on Sunday for victims of the giant waves in Asia as relief agencies and governments girded to offer technical help and aid. The United States said assistance was already on its way to some of the most stricken areas.
The speed and scale of the disaster - with thousands dead - left some relief specialists struggling to keep pace with events. "The needs are enormous," said Louis Michel, a senior official of the European Union, which offered $4 million in emergency funds.
In Geneva, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said as many as 500,000 survivors could need help for the next six months. It appealed for some $6.5 million to finance relief efforts.
Usually, in major catastrophes, relief agencies seek to meet the basic needs of survivors for shelter, clean water, food and medicines coupled with longer-term aid to help stricken regions to restore water supplies and rebuild themselves. But those efforts can founder because of poor communications and bad roads that prevent relief supplies from reaching affected areas.
Kofi Annan, the United Nations secretary general, said he was "profoundly saddened to learn of the massive loss of life and destruction." He said the United Nations "stands ready to provide the assistance necessary to meet the needs created by these natural disasters."
Trent Duffy, the deputy White House spokesman, said in a statement: "On behalf of the American people, the president expresses his sincere condolences for the terrible loss of life and suffering caused by the earthquake and subsequent tsunamis in the region of the Bay of Bengal. The United States stands ready to offer all appropriate assistance to those nations most affected including Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Thailand and Indonesia, as well as the other countries impacted.
"Already relief is flowing to Sri Lanka and the Maldives," the statement continued. "We will work with the affected governments, the United Nations, nongovernmental organizations, and other concerned states and organizations to support the relief and response to this terrible tragedy."...
Oh I know they represent the crusaders to the mussleman.
I think you're right. Furthermore, most Indo, Malay, and Thai Muslims have a pretty laissez faire, live-and-let-live variety of Mohammedism. The overwhelming majority of Muslims in this region are far too pragmatic to get wrapped up in extreme Mohammedism.
I just cannot believe the reactions to this post!
People are trying to find excuses to not give any support to the victims!
There is always criticism about Holland because they aren't religious enough, but when it comes to helping others Holland is one of the most generous countries in the world... I believe 0,8 % percent which it's still peanuts of course. The last four days 7,5 million euro's (that's about 10 mln $) of donations has been gathered aside from government aid...
And you people still think you are the best Christians in the world because you dissaprove abortion and gay marriage.. I just cannot believe how cynical and hyprocital the reactions are!!!!
Looks like we may have a pro-terrorst troll here.
nuve9 Since 12/27/04. " I do not hate them or anyone. Even those that promote violence against us. "
"Is it my imagination, but aren't most of these organizations a little left of center and where is the salvation army in this list."
The poster of the list is liberal enough that he doesn't hate terrorists. (See my post 14). He left off the Baptists, the Mormons and the Salvation army, but found room for at least two Islamic groups as well as left wingers such as Oxfam America.
I didn't know about China's $ 2 mln being applauded but let's keep into mind that the US is by far the richest country in the world (highest income per person). I don't know what the income per person in China is but it is probably much lower... although 2 mln is probably nothing for China.
The US gives $30, Holland gives $6-7. I understand that people in the US pay less tax and therefore the govmt pays less but besides the Dutch govmt aid, I just read that the Dutch donations are already $13 and this will increase since there will be major fund-raising events in the next days.
And about his stinginess, Bush probably agrees otherwise he wouldn't have doubled the amount directly after the comments were made. And I indeed think that is nothing. $30 mln divided by 270 mln people that is indeed a dime of YOUR money... be proud of it.
Doesn't matter what W does, it'll always be nitpicked and slammed. If he pledged $100million they'd say it was rash to offer so much before the full scope is known etc etc.
There is ample reason to criticize muslims and to point out to them their hypocrisy and foolishness -- and we can do that WHILE we give to their stricken co-religionists. How do you know that while we are mitching and boaning about islamists we aren't also giving? Answer: you don't, you assume it, and without evidential justification for the assumption.
A Vatican newspaper critucized Israel for not helping in the disaster. Evidently they missed the part where the victim countries wouldn't accept Israeli aid because it came with the help of the IDF.
It seems, teezle, that in your view if we notice and mock the pickiness and hostility of the beggars while we offer them help, then the aid we give doesn't count.
You're pretty quick to judge, aren't you? I think that if this country, maligned, slandered, exploited, and insulted as it is, still gives a DIME to muslim nations, that's something remarkable. That there are the voluntary donations mentioned in this article is fabulous. But you say our reactions are hypocritical.
So if you need help, I NOT ONLY have a duty to give it to you WHILE you insult and harm me, BUT I ALSO must not take any notice of the harm you've done to me, and if I do, then I'm a hypocrite?
Wanna think about that a little? IF I'm spending $87 billion and more making the world a safer place and liberating the oppressed, but don't instantly LEAP to spend uncounted billions more, I'm selfish?
Excuse me if I don't take that seriously.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.