Tsunami Relief - Please Donate

[Erin]

Donate to the Red Cross through Amazon.

I'm starting this thread so that we can all share our information about the great disaster that has struck parts of Asia and India. I think the most important thing all of us can do right now is donate what we find we can spare, but any other information or ideas that we can share can be done here as well.

I know that many, many of our forum members live in the countries that have been affected by these great disasters, so the concern of our vibrant community here is that much greater. Of course, even one life lost can have a devastating effect on many people, and the nationality of that person truly should not matter. But the sheer magnitude of this disaster calls for unprecedented action, and would like to make this space here in our forums to call attention to something that I think is--at this moment--more pressing than our (and I'm referring to those of us who are safe and happy and are spending time with our loved ones) academic dreams.

I understand that those of us in the United States and Europe can help best by giving cash donations, as the cost of transporting any donated items can greatly outweigh the value of those items. Furthermore, the most urgent need at the time seems to be for medicine and food.

That said, please don't just donate to an organization without doing a bit of research first. Many charities exist mostly to collect money, and very little money ends up in the hands of those who need it.

Please note that I do necessarily recommend only European- or North American-based charities, but they are the ones I'm most familiar with.

The Red Cross is trustworthy, and you can use your Amazon account, if you have one. Amazon will also refund your money if you change your mind:

• Donate to the Red Cross via Amazon. (The link says almost $1 million raised so far.)
• Medicins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) (alternate link)
• Oxfam

Please, share your thoughts, ideas, and feelings here.

[aa001]

Message from GE Elfun team

----------------------------------------------------

Sunday's Devastation caused by the biggest Earthquake in 40 Years and the harbor wave (tsunami) has left Millions of Causalities and Victims across India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand ,Andamans & the Maldives

As per the latest Media Reports over 3000 people have Perished & approximately 10,000 people have been rendered homeless due to the Quakes in India alone.

This is an Appeal to each of you to help the Needy & launch relief Measures to mitigate the sufferings of those affected.We are working with Local Government bodies/ NGO's in Chennai which have been set up to assist with the same.Following Relief items are needed most urgently: Medicines, Clothes, Food, Blankets,Water Purifiers.

Your local Elfun reps will assist you with more information and will be your Central point of contact for Donations: they are:

Bangalore

Ramakrishna Rao
DialComm *901 - 2248 or 8412050 - 2248 Elfun Chapter - Business Representative

Kalpana S
DialComm *2074 or 8527800 - 8620 Elfun Chapter - Secretary

Chennai:

Smitha Kumar
044-8255544 Elfun Chapter - Secretary

Naresh Narasimhan
91 44 28257027 Elfun Chapter - Business Representative

Delhi:

Jitin Bhatia

DialComm *8-740-4046 or +91-124-6340940 Elfun Chapter - Secretary

Afzal M. Modak
DialComm *216-2985 or +91-124-657 5101 Elfun Chapter - Treasurer

Hyderabad:

Murali Krishna
27881800 Elfun Chapter - Secretary

Kota Venkata
91+40+3111000 Elfun Chapter - Member Data Manager

Jaipur:

Rajkumar Maheshwari
DialComm *740-4848 or +91-40-55114848 Elfun Chapter - Community Service Chairman

Manish Gurnani
DialComm *901-8105 or +91-141-515 8105 Elfun Chapter - Secretary

Mumbai:

Nimesh Kanti Mehta
DialComm *91-020-5657768/69 or 91-020-5657768/69 Elfun Chapter - Co-Secretary

Neville Framroze Dandiwalla
DialComm *+ 91-22-56301340 or +91-22-56301340 Elfun Chapter - Communications Chairman

[wenura]

first of all i like to thank erin for creating a new thread to urge the members in ure countries to help towards this cause.As a person living in the country most affected by this great tragedy i must tell u all it is really an unbearable loss interms of life and the property(in most cases the only property they had(ppl live in the coastal areas are the poorest section of the society) we in our capacity did all we can by collecting items such as food and several other pharmaceutical items and cloths. we had to travel far south and it was indeed difficult to reach those ppl(cos roads are not properly cleard yet) . This perhaps is the most tragic one in the world. i myself witnessed the sorrow and the pain they went through. some unlucky tourists were seen among the dead ppl. most of the houses in the country are hoisting white flags as a mark of respect to the dead ppl. almost all the activities in the country have come to a standstill. must tell u will take some considerable time to get over this unfortucate incident. i belive time has come for the ppl who test those deadly nuclear tests and other various missiles with the mere expectation of raising their image to think otherwise to think of human beings the value of life value of our short lifves

Erin once again thank u for ure kind gesture

[knok]

Erin,

Thank you for the link. I saw on TV last night about the rating of disaster relief organizations.

American Red Cross was rated A+ following by many well known organizations that I could not remember.
If you endow for disaster, the money will go for disaster relief.

However, each organization has different policies. If ones would like to donate to many reliable organizations in different countries, ones who know about the reliable names of disaster relief organizations, please share your knowledge. Thank you.

wenura,

Could you please suggest one of the most trusted name of tsumani relief organizations in Sri Lanka that people can donate easily from the U.S.A.? Thank you.

Knok

[spiderman]

knok,

the sri lankan embassy in D.C has put up message accepting donations. I guess that would be a good place to start since it would be reliable. let me know if you need more info.

http://www.slembassyusa.org/

[knok]

Originally Posted by spiderman

According to the Sri Lanka Embassy Web site, http://www.slembassyusa.org

SRI LANKA DISASTER RELIEF FUND

Contributions to the ongoing Sri Lanka relief efforts can be made by cash, check or wire transfer.

** Please note that the Sri Lanka Disaster Relief Fund is not tax deductible**.
Checks and wire transfers should be made out to “Sri Lanka Disaster Relief Fund”
Please note that deposits can be made at any Wachovia Bank or branch.

Wachovia Bank,
1300 I Street, NW,
Washington DC 20005

Swift: PNBPUS33

ABA#: 054001220

Account: 2000024529976

Questions related to Wachovia Bank account please call: 1-800-922-4684

About Sri Lanka, I just made a phonce call to the Wachovia Bank in Washington D.C. Here is additional information from the bank. If anyone knows more, please post. Thank you.

You may mail the personal check directly to Wachovia Bank.

Send check payable to: Sri Lanka Disaster Relief Fund

Address: Wachovia Bank, Attention: VA 3289
P.O. Box 26090
Richmond,
Virginia 23260-6090

Please note at the right corner at the bottom of your check (check attention) :"Tsunami Relief Fund"

[wasleys]

In UK the Disasters Emergency Committee is the umbrella organisation which launches and coordinates UK appeals relating to major disasters overseas. It brings together charities, business, government and business.

Michael

[buntydey]

First of all , I thank ERIN for starting this thread for the people who are suffering in these countries. Being a citizen of India, I must appreciate this humane nature of our Admin.
As of now , almost 7000 people has suffered in India and a total of 25000 in Asia altogether. It is really sad to hear that the JARAWAS (tribal people of INDIA) who live in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and who are completely out of touch of the advanced mankind (us), is really in inhuman situations. At least ,the people in India (mainland) and other parts of Asia have in touch of some relief funds, but these JARAWAS who never were in touch with the civilised world are in utter sufferings. The government has estimated the loss of lives in India and Srilanka and Indianesia, but no-one has tried to enquire about the distress that the JARAWAS are feeling . GOD knows how many of them has survived, In one of the news, it is estimated that 95% of the 15000 JARAWAS have perished in this disaster; that means their race is going to be effaced soon.

I would earnestly request the RED CROSS to pleaseeeeeeee do something so as to help the JARAWAS race from being extinct. Please RED CROSS help them . Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

[Ethelstan]

Hi, I'm orginated from Indonesia. But me and my family are located in mainland (Java) which isn't one of the strucked area.

The devastation in Indonesia is the greatest, currently approximately 45000 deaths in Aceh and 40000 around South east asia. the deaths reach number of 80000. (Please open cnn.com for further info)

Aceh is the epicentre of the 9.0 Quakes. This is the largest quake since 40 years ago. This province has vast amount of poor people, and is the centre of current rebellion. People in this province suffered deeply for about the last 10 years.Abduction, disease, rebellion, and now Tsunamis...

[spiderman]

another useful site ..

http://tsunamihelp.blogspot.com/