Thursday, December 30, 2004

Tsumani Aid Needed: Give!

At the Senthalil children's home in Mullaitivu, only 5 of the 150 are alive. Wrought iron beds are wrapped around coconut trees. The strength of the wave is unimaginable. Kids paintings hang from trees in the neighbourhood. In the garden, among toys I found a photo album with their photographs. They were all orphaned by the war. The home was their second chance. --Morquendi/Sanjaya, posted by scribbleamus at 6:31 PM at ChiensSansFrontiers

As the death toll climbs past 110,000, I write this in wonder and grief. The devastation caused by the tsunami is very real, very graphic, and just beginning. As the United States struggles with its very mediocre response; it’s underwhelming offer of financial assistance; and it’s consistent bypassing of the United Nations (UN) to form a coalition of aid, with Japan, India and Australia; I’ve been reading individual reports —from reporters, correspondents, survivors, and volunteers—as they trudge through the devastation and bringing what small relief they can, while keeping the world abreast. I was reading the personal accounts from Rick von Feld from Phuket. One of his quotes particularly struck me…

My driver today was telling me that people at the Marriott were living just like it was another typical day at the beach. For them – Patong was a tourist area that they didn’t want to go to anyway – and so they just looked for new beaches. For me – I have these mixed emotions. I never personally felt any danger from where I saw the tidal waves come through. But for me – it was the dramatic three hours of watching the waves come one after another and create the damage. I stood at the edge of the bridge – just feet away from the waves – and watched as it did its damage. I saw people run from the beach when the water reside – and saw people who were broken and affected. For 48 hours, I have been seeing the remains of the destruction and have been listening to people. For many others on the island – they have not even left their resort compound to see the destruction.  ---Rick Von Feld, at Phuket Tsunami

The need to help the living, those who survived the first wave of disaster, but stand prone to lose their lives to hunger and pestilence, is great. If your not planning to visit one of the devastated countries and help directly (which unless you speak the language or have some very useful skill, you shouldn’t—there’s more than enough confusion, traffic, and uncertainty without adding managing unexperienced relief workers), the best thing you can do is give. Five dollars, $10, $20, $100, whatever you can do, can be of help. Just choose a reputable outlet, since those intending to make a profit off the devastation are already springing up like wildflowers.

A good starting point is the below list of organizations. They are directly helping survivors and or coordinating care to the effected countries.

• American Red Cross International Response Fund
• AmeriCares South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund
• Direct Relief International International Assistance Fund
• Médecins Sans Frontières International Tsunami Emergency Appeal
• Oxfam Asian Earthquake & Tsunami Fund
• Sarvodaya Relief Fund for Tsunami Tragedy
• UNICEF South Asia Tsunami Relief Efforts

Want more options, visit ReliefWeb.

Feeling frustrated by the United States response—financially and politically? So am I. I have no recommendations for channeling that frustration. But if your tired of hearing how US response is sympathetic and on-parr with the rest of the world, and how we will lead another “coalition of the willing” to coordinate an aid effort that was already well underway before our president even stepped out of his vacation enclave, then I recommend skipping the American news sites.  To get a real view of the scope and depth of the devastation start with BBC News. From tracking details of the worldwide response and care coordination efforts, to aiding families and friends locate loved ones, to daily correspondence with reporters and correspondents, and links to weblogs and resources of firsthand experiences.

Footnotes

ReliefWeb News & Updates
Massive Relief Efforts Begin for Millions of Tsunami Victims, Rescuers Say Much More Needed at Voice of America
BBC News Asia Quake Disaster
The South-East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami
Phuket Tsunami

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