Bloggers at Front Line of Relief Efforts

spiegel.de ^ | December 29, 2004

[Ginifer]

If you want to find out more information about this week's tsunami of biblical proportions in Southeast Asia and how you can help the victims, the best place to go is a new blog in the Indian Ocean region that's compiling everything from requests by organizations seeking donations to victim lists. http://tsunamihelp.blogspot.com

Blogs are at the forefront of the tsunami recovery effort. While traditional media drags awaiting publication, and government hotlines jam or go unanswered, bloggers have hopped into the fray, providing needed information to relatives desperate to find loved ones and those hoping to join the rescue efforts. One of the best sites out there is the South-East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami blog set up by students from New Delhi, a Sri Lankan TV producer and Internet junkies in the region. It offers everything from fascinating tsunami facts to emergency contact numbers to humanitarian relief organizations. Plus it tells you how to donate money from wherever you are.

The earthquake off the coast of Indonesia and the ensuing tsunami that caused destruction around the Indian Ocean basin created an instant medical emergency. In the ensuing chaos, friends and families were separated. In many instances, children were swepped away from their parents and unable later to find them. Hospitals in resorts frequented by tourists have posted lists of their patients on the Internet. The list from Phuket International Hospital can be found here and that for the Bangkok Phuket Hospital here. http://www.phuket-inter-hospital.co.th/boy.htm

The Bangkok Phuket Hospital is currently trying to locate the parents of a young German girl. A Swedish toddler also pictured on the site -- in one of the tragedy's few happy stories -- has been reunited with his uncle. His father is alive in a different hospital, but his mother is still missing.

The South Asian disaster is developing into one of the largest natural disasters ever and the international aid effort is immense. How did this happen? To find out more about tsunamis and how they work, this is a great place to start.

With news organizations across the globe focusing on the violent devastation in South Asia following Sunday's 9.0 underwater earthquake off the coast of Indonesia there is a lot of coverage out there. We've collected some of the best links here.

First off, the United States Geological Survey has put together a preliminary earthquake report of Sunday's quake with maps, technical information and a whole list of fascinating earthquake links. http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqinthenews/2004/usslav

[HiJinx]

Thanks for the post. Already spreading the word...

[georgiarat]

Pray for the people affected by the tragedy. In some way we will each be affected by it.

I was also very surprised to access the following corporate site and see how they have put the issue up front and central as opposed to advertising and salses.

http://www.apple.com

[Jon Alvarez]

Thanks for the aid, Evil American Westerners:

In Indonesia, a nation of almost 200 million Muslims, the radical fringe is getting increasingly angry with the US and its allies. Anti-US demonstrations have been getting steadily bigger as the US prepares for possible military action over the 11 September attacks on Washington and New York.

[yoe]

Wonderful information - thanks.

[Ginifer]

Your very welcome. Happy New Year!