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Dear APHA members:
We are very saddened by the devastating quake-tsunami catastrophe this past weekend that has shattered the lives of thousands in South Asia. As of today, the death toll across 12 nations has reached over 75,000, and the International Red Cross has warned that the toll could eventually surpass 100,000. Tens of thousands more remain missing, and health officials predict that an outbreak of diseases, from cholera to dysentery, could bring another wave of fatalities. Already, reports of measles and diarrhea have emerged in Sri Lanka.
We urge as many of you as possible to provide what assistance you can to the survivors of this still unfolding tragedy. Money, clothing and food are needed in areas across Asia.
Here are some of the local and national organizations accepting donations to help victims of the South Asian tsunami. Most groups recommend that people donate cash rather than supplies. APHA does not endorse any particular organization and recommends that you evaluate any donation given. Consumer guidelines for giving can be found on the Web site for the U.S. Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/tmarkg/charity.htm .
American Red Cross – Donations can be made online by going to http://www.redcross.org and following the instructions on the home page. Donations can also be sent to the International Response Fund, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. For more information about donating, please call 800-435-7669. For information about friends or relatives who may have been victims, call 866-438-4636.
CARE USA – Donations may be made online at https://donate.care.org/05/20130000/?source=170570020000 . Contributions may also be made by phone at 800-422-7385 or 800-521-CARE. You may also e-mail info@care.org for more information about donating.
UNICEF USA – Donations may be made online at www.unicefusa.org . Checks and money orders made payable to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF may be mailed to unicefusa.org, 333 East 38th Street, New York, NY 10016.
World Vision – Donations may be made online at www.worldvision.org . Monetary contributions will be used to provide food and family survival kits to Asian countries. Each kit provides things like blankets, tarps for temporary shelter, water purification tablets and cooking supplies.
United Nations World Food Programme – Donations may be made online at www.wfp.org . Contributions may be mailed to U.S. Friends of the WFP, P.O. Box 11856, Washington, D.C. 20008. Donations by U.S. taxpayers are tax-deductible.
Oxfam America – Donations may be made online at https://secure.ga3.org/02/asia_earthquake04. Checks payable to Oxfam America may be mailed to Oxfam America, Asia Earthquake Fund, P.O. Box 211, Albert Lea, MN 56007-1211.
Asia Relief – The Maryland-based nonprofit organization is accepting donations of cash, nonperishable food, clothing and toys for victims in Sri Lanka. Donations should be dropped off or mailed to Asia Relief, 19409 Olive Tree Way, Gaithersburg, MD 20879. Please contact Rizwan Mowlana at 301-672-9355 for more information.
Association for India’s Development Inc.-The Maryland-based nonprofit organization is accepting cash donations to help relief work in India. Contributions can be made on the Web at www.aidindia.org or mailed to AID Zone 3, P.O. Box 4801, Mountain View, CA 94040-0801, with checks made payable to AID. Contact Priya Ranjan at 301-422-4441 for more information.
Tsunami Relief Inc. – The Virginia-based nonprofit group has been set up to help victims in Sri Lanka. Donors can call 703-934-6922 or mail checks payable to Tsunami Relief Inc. to 9302 Lee Hwy., Fifth Floor, Fairfax, VA 22031.
Direct Relief International – Donations can be made online at www.directrelief.org or by phone at 805-964-4767. Checks and money orders may be mailed to Direct Relief International, 27 S. La Patera Lane, Santa Barbara, Calif. 93117.
B’nai B’rith International – Donations can be made online at www.bnaibrith.org or mailed to B’nai B’rith Disaster Relief Fund, 2020 K St. NW, Seventh Floor, Washington, D.C. 20006.
Mercy Corps – Donations can be made online at www.mercycorps.org or by phone at 800-852-2100. Donations may also be mailed to Mercy Corps, Dept. W, P.O. Box 2669, Portland, OR 97208.
Operation USA – The Los Angeles-based international relief agency is accepting donations online at www.opusa.org or by phone at 800-678-7255. Donations may also be mailed to Operation USA, 8320 Melrose Ave., Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Doctors Without Borders/Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) – Donations can be made online at www.doctorswithoutborders.org or contributions can be made by phone at 888-392-0392. MSF is airlifting more than 60 tons of medical, surgical, and water-and-sanitation equipment to Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
More information about donations to humanitarian organizations can be found on the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Web site, www.usaid.gov .
Donors also can call the Center for International Disaster Information at 703-276-1914.