Private Aid Organizations Gear Up to Help Tsunami Victims

Strategic Insights -

Aid organizations in the US are racing to send teams to help tsunami victims overseas and to collect donations from the American public. At the Staten Island Buddhist Temple in New York, a monk, Bhante Kondanna, reports that a significant amount of aid is coming in, including pledges of close to $3,000 and donations of essential items like syringes and relief medication. However, officials from various relief organizations stress the importance of cash donations, which allow them to efficiently purchase and distribute essential supplies in the affected areas.

Key Takeaways:

  • Private aid organizations in the US are gearing up to help tsunami victims, with many sending teams overseas and collecting donations from the American public.
  • Organizations like AmeriCares and the Staten Island Buddhist Temple are receiving donations, including pledges of over $3,000 and essential items like syringes and relief medication.
  • Relief organizations stress the importance of cash donations, which allow them to efficiently purchase and distribute essential supplies in the affected areas.
  • Christoph Gorder, vice president for international programs at AmeriCares, notes that a $100 cash donation can deliver $3,000 worth of medications into the disaster area.
  • The number of organizations responding to the tsunami is massive, with as many as 40 American non-governmental organizations indicating they will respond to the crisis.
  • Organizations like Catholic Relief Services (CRS) have extensive networks on the ground already, with a strong presence in India and a commitment to providing 500,000 in private donations.

Statistics:

  • Pledges of close to $3,000 have been made at the Staten Island Buddhist Temple.
  • AmeriCares estimates that a $100 cash donation can deliver $3,000 worth of medications into the disaster area.
  • 40 American non-governmental organizations have indicated they will respond to the crisis.
  • CRS has over 200 national staff and works with 2,500 local partners in India.
  • CRS has committed 500,000 in private donations to the tsunami relief efforts.

Sources:

  • Robert Siegel, "Private aid organizations in the US are also gearing up to help tsunami victims," NPR, no date.
  • Christoph Gorder, vice president for international programs at AmeriCares, interviewed by Margot Adler, NPR News, no date.
  • Bhante Kondanna, monk at the Staten Island Buddhist Temple, interviewed by Margot Adler, NPR News, no date.
  • Mary E. McClymont, CEO of InterAction, interviewed by Margot Adler, NPR News, no date.
  • Sean Callahan, vice president for overseas operations at Catholic Relief Services (CRS), interviewed by Margot Adler, NPR News, no date.