Posted on 12/30/2004 3:03:50 AM PST by kattracks
(CNSNews.com) - By Thursday, just four days after a powerful tsunami hit countries in southern Asia and eastern Africa, Americans had contributed more than $18 million to the American Red Cross International Response Fund.
"I'm heartened that the American people are turning to the American Red Cross as a conduit for their compassion and concern for the families affected by the tsunami in Asia," said Marsha Evans, president and CEO of the American Red Cross, in a press release.
"The American Red Cross will be as transparent as possible," Evans added. "I want to assure donors that their intent will be honored and their contributions to the International Response Fund will be used to meet the needs of earthquake victims in the days, weeks and months ahead."
Immediately after the earthquake, the American Red Cross established contact with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the affected countries to determine how the organization could best provide assistance to those hit by the tsunami.
Through its International Response Fund, the American Red Cross provides partners in other countries with trained personnel, relief supplies and/or direct monetary assistance regarding immediate and long-term relief efforts for disaster victims.
When international disasters strike, the American Red Cross has personnel trained in three key competency areas: water sanitation services, family linking and reunification and relief supply distribution.
A water sanitation engineer has already been deployed to the Maldives, and two relief workers are on route to Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Additionally, a team of workers trained in relief supply distribution will likely be deployed to affected areas in the next 24 to 48 hours.
The American Red Cross is also coordinating with other societies on how to distribute a stockpile of $350,000 worth of relief supplies pre-positioned in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. These supplies include tents, blankets, tarps, plastic sheeting and hygiene kits.
Contributions to the International Response Fund may be sent to a local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting the organization's website.
E-mail a news tip to Randy Hall.
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Here's info I received yesterday on Samaritan's Purse:
The Tsunami has both created tremendous needs and opened the door to share the gospel in a region that has never had much Christian witness. Franklin Graham's group Samaritan's Purse is responding in the right way, meeting both physical and spiritual needs. You can read about their efforts and help if you feel led at
http://www.samaritanspurse.org
He is Risen,
Paul J. Tetreault, Jr., Esq.
Commander, USNR (ret.)
http://www.citizensoldier.org
http://www.winthewar.info
This is getting bloody ridiculous.
It's not a beauty contest.
One person makes a rather silly comment in the UN (directed at the west in general)and evrybody is screaming about which countries are giving the most.
Im quite sure that the kid who has lost his / her parents really doesn't care where the water, tent and food that is keeping them alive was donated from
How did the Red Cross do in distributing the 9/11 funds?
$10 million from Saudi Arabia and $2 million from the UAE, last I saw. Some of the countries (UAE at least) are also sending personnel, doctors, rescue teams, etc.
The important thing at this point isn't "I gave more than you" (something that liberals and the UN can't understand). The important thing is for those agencies and charities to get the money and items they need and get them to those millions of people affected by this. I seriously doubt right now that a devastated fishing village in Sri Lanka cares whether that food and water is coming from America, Britain, the UAE, or Israel. They just need it, badly.
}:-)4
Horribly!
I sent to Samaritan's Purse this a.m. but I will send more to others. Thanks to everyone for the info.
Good that you donated but why won't you give to the Red Cross?
Here's a quote from a Time Magazine article and the link:
"The Red Cross's Liberty Fund, established in the wake of the terror attacks, is under fire from indignant lawmakers and angry donors. It turns out that only part of the fund — which stands at nearly $550 million, ostensibly earmarked for the families of those who died September 11th — will actually reach those family members. Instead, Red Cross officials revealed this week, nearly half ($264 million) of that money will be redirected into other projects, including a slush fund to be used in the case of future terrorist attacks. Healy insists there was no intention to mislead donors, and that the goal was always to keep some of the contributions on hand for 'future critical priorities.'"
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,183617,00.html
Ok, I understand your reasons.
I wouldn't donate to missionary organizations (like the "Gospel for Asia" you posted) under this circumstances because I think they take advantage of the hopeless situation these already poor people are in now to get their message over. I think that's a bit shabby.
That doesn't mean I'm against doing missionary work but this is not the right time for it.
I'd rather donate to some government organization.
I donated online to the Salvation Army also. They have a South Asia Diasaster Fund.
Here is a link
https://secure4.salvationarmy.org/donations.nsf/donate?openform&projectid=IHQ-Asia_Fund&t=US_USC*USE*USS*USW
Yawn... USA based Catholic Relief Services has already committed $25 million dollars, and that's just one charity.
Uh, the $18 million us just ONE charity. Americans are giving to many, many charities.
Our missionaries are already on the ground, many are already set up to provide shelter and medical care, and they don't need several days to see what's needed. I'm sure they already have relocated some of the hardest hit victims into their agencies, and know the best supply sources and routes. Our pastors and congregations know these people personally and can vouch for their honesty. Plus, we have no salaried middlemen to suck up excess dollars.
I may never give to the Red Cross again. But I will certainly give.
Meanwhile, France is sending 10 tons of brie, 200 gallons of Beaujolais and $130,000 bucks.
Thank you. That was my recollection. Who does one donate to these days. The funds are almost always diverted ... or the big people at the top make enormous salaries!
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