Asia’s disaster has galvanized not just governments and international organizations but millions of ordinary people, who want to give anything from money to mosquito nets to those in need. Here’s a list of who’s doing what, and how to contact them:
AID AGENCIES
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
A major relief provider and one of the few groups helping people trace lost family members. Donations can be made online at
www.donate.ifrc.org, www.amazon.com or through these regional offices:
Bangladesh: [email protected]
India: www.indianredcross.org, tel: 371 6424
Indonesia: tel: 7992325
Malaysia: www.redcrescent.org.my, tel: 42578122, ext. 123
Philippines: [email protected]
Sri Lanka: tel: 2691095
Thailand: www.redcross.or.th, tel: 256 4037 / 4008
Medecins sans Frontieres
Has dispatched medical teams and hundreds of tons of surgical and sanitation equipment to Sumatra and Sri Lanka, and opened a clinic in Banda Aceh, near the epicenter of the earthquake. The two MSF offices in Asia are:
Hong Kong: www.msf.org.hk,tel: 2338 8277
Japan: www.msf.or.jp, tel: 5988 0560, or 0120 999 199 within the country
The U.N. World Food Programme
Distributing food in Sri Lanka, Aceh and Somalia. Go to www.wfp.org/donate
UNICEF
Delivering food, medical and shelter supplies to Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia, including 200,000 medical kits to Banda Aceh. Donations can be made on the main UNICEF site at unicef.org, the websites of UNICEF Hong Kong www.unicef.org.hk>, unicef Japan and unicef Korea , or by contacting the following regional offices:
India: [email protected]
Indonesia: tel: 570 5816, ext. 333 / 555 / 600
Malaysia: tel: 2095 9154
Philippines: tel: 750 7151 / 1000 / 2390
Sri Lanka: [email protected]
Thailand: tel: 2803562
UNHCR
The U.N. refugee agency’s main task is to provide shelter for the homeless. Go to www.unhcr.org for details
CHARITIES
CARE
Volunteers in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand are distributing water-purification tablets and oral-rehydration salts to combat disease, and helping local cleanup efforts. Donations can be made through CARE’s U.S. website at www.care.org or its Japan office at www.carejapan.org, tel: 5950 1335
Oxfam
Has flown emergency equipment to Indonesia and is distributing food, medical and shelter supplies from a base in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka:
www.oxfam.org.uk or www.oxfam.org.hk
Save the Children
Has local teams in Aceh treating children for waterborne diseases and emotional trauma. Donations can be made to its Asia Earthquake/Tidal Wave Relief Fund at www.savethechildren.org
American Jewish World Service
Working with local ngos in India and Sri Lanka to provide food, shelter and medical relief: www.ajws.org
Catholic Relief Services
Delivering food and medical supplies to India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Thailand with partner agency Caritas: www.catholicrelief.org
Islamic Relief Worldwide
Has allocated $1.9 million for relief and rehabilitation in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, and launched a global appeal for an additional $7.6 million. Go to www.islamic-relief.com, or call its headquarters in the U.K. at 622 0622
NATIONAL DISASTER FUNDS
India
Has set up one for victims in the country’s coastal areas and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Information at www.pmindia.nic.in/relief.htm
Indonesia
Its National Coordinating Agency for Natural Disaster and Refugees Relief accepts money, food and medicine. Call 3458400
Malaysia
Its Asian Tsunami Disaster Fund is collecting cash contributions and can be reached in Kuala Lumpur at 8887 4000 / 4386
Thailand
Office of the Prime Minister is taking donations. Call 281 4130 / 8573 / 8577
USEFUL WEBSITES
www.reliefweb.int, a project of the U.N.’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs , features a comprehensive archive of reports from aid groups and wire agencies.
www.tsunamihelp.blogspot.com carries frequently updated information on relief and rescue efforts and links to relevant news articles. Its sister sites www.tsunamihelpneeded.blogspot.com and www.tsunamihelpoffered. blogspot.com match people seeking help—financial contributions, relief materials, even blood donations—with those looking to give.
www.command-post.org/nk is another blog/disaster information clearinghouse with details on local efforts such as clothing drives and telethons.
