Earthquake/Tsunami Relief

[Petra]

I'm sure you've all heard about the catastrophic earthquakes/tsunami that have been wreaking devastation upon Asia. 16,000+ dead and milllions more left sick, injured, homeless and penniless.

Please get in touch with reputable aid agencies and donate what you can. It doesn't have to be money. It can be blankets, clothing, tinned food, first aid supplies, etc.

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=644840

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4126241.stm

:(

[Socratoad]

Thank you so very much for posting this appeal dear Luna. I've been feeling rather numb for hours as I have tried to absorb the immensity of this disaster, and yet I did nothing. I did not post regarding this horror as you have done. I feel ashamed being caught up in some trivial inanity or other that you have been fortunate enough to have missed while thinking about that which is truly important.

What now? seems like just a few short years ago I would have been one of those speeding to the scene to help. Alas I am no longer able. I have so damned little money, but after a few hours sleep, if possible, I shall find a way to show my solidarity with these frightened suffering unfortunate people.

There has got to be something I can do. I feel so damned helpless.

The tragedy is just so fresh. I fear worse is yet to come regarding numbers of people lost forever.

[Petra]

I fear worse is yet to come regarding numbers of people lost forever.

Yup.

Even after the aftershocks stop these people will be at great risk of diseases from contaminated water, etc. The death toll will continue to climb.

But in all the reports of rising death tolls we must focus on the living. Their needs are urgent and their circumstances dire.

I don't have much to give, but I've sorted out two suitcases full of used clothing and another containing a spare duvet and a couple of spare blankets. I don't even know what local agency to pass them on to yet, but I'll find that out in the morning.


It all helps, even if just a little bit.

[Socratoad]

I mentioned this ongoing tragedy during a conversation with a certain Aussie here on the board several hours ago, hoping for some sort of feedback from someone much closer to the scene than I ... my inquiry was totally ignored.

Ya know the total lack of empathy or perhaps self-absorption of so many people scares the hell out of me.

[Petra]

Hmmm. I'm only back from the farm a few hours and have missed a few days of FF shenanigans. Perhaps they went offline? Or needed a cooling period before responding or something? Either way, I wouldn't take it to heart, Socratoad - people are strange, is all. :shrug:

:hug:

[livius drusus]

The extent of the devastation is truly staggering. Here's (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/1139932.stm) an article with a list of relief agencies mobilising for the victims.

[Socratoad]

Ya it really is bad. I've sorted out quite a pile of pretty good clothes but am too out of it to begin to pack them. But it will take a couple of days before local organizations get up to speed so I have time to pack them. Plus I want to rewash a few of them. I can't dare go out with them right now because its too damned cold for anyone with heart troubles ..... can't breath in such temperatures. Its -38 degrees Celsius here right now. -40 is where Celsius and Fahrenheit meet. Its'nt quite accurate, but I'm sure ya get the picture.

If anyone begins to knit-pick over this calculation I swear I will not be responsible for my actions. There has been far to much nit-picking on some threads lately :D

Methinks I shall be able to donate a little cash as well. It will mean a bit of fancy footwork to make it till the next pension check. But I can't not do it. I would like to think that if any of us on this board were in such dire straits some people somewhere would come to our aid.

I know, I know I'm beginning to babble. Lack of sleep.

Some may wonder why I do such things. part of it is altruistic and part of it is because of wisdom gathered over many years. I simply find it easier to look in the mirror when I choose to do such things,

Another bit of Toad's insight: the subject of self-esteem is mentioned in pop psych constantly in recent years. I have found that show enough empathy for others and then follow through and one's self-esteem wiill take care of itself. Not a orthodox theory about self-esteem I know, but it works.

Now I know I better shut up because this lack of sleep is making me somewhat punch drunk, but on the other hand it allows me to say the things that are important to me without worrying about conventions.

Perhaps I can donate this soapbox to the Asian relief fund.

Thanks to Luna's thoughtfulness I too was able to get off my ass.

[LadyShea]

The magnitude of this has been difficult for me to wrap my mind around. I am sending my Christmas bonus to the International Red Cross and urge everyone to donate what they can. Get in touch with your local Red Cross, I am sure they can direct your clothing/food/blankets donations as needed.

Thanks for the thread luna, I had gotten stuck in disbelief mode :(

[Petra]

*Bump*

[Socratoad]

Thanks Luna, your need to bump this thread unfortunately demonstrates a point I made earlier.

[LadyShea]

I donated to Doctors Without Borders and the Red Cross and sent an email to my whole company urging them to do the same. What a horrible tragedy.

[Socratoad]

Thanks so very much Lady Shea, of course I knew you would be right there when it comes to helping others. Years ago I worked with Doctors Without Borders when it was almost a totally french endeavour. And so I thank you again as that is precisely where I will send my pittance. I'm so numb about all this plus a couple of other things that it took both you and Luna to jog me into action.

Meanwhile most seem busy trying to amuse themselves to death.

I hope you and hubby had a great holiday. I've meant to keep in touch by email. Perhaps when I decide how I'm going to spend my remaining time in a more constructive way my priorities will take precedence .

I am very happy that both of you have decided to adopt. Someday I will explain why this makes me so happy.

PS: I've managed to get three large boxes of clothes packed and some freshly washed clothes are in the dryer as I type this. They were not really dirty as in having been worn lately, but they were rather dusty. I think I can spare a blanket or two.

[Petra]

I've managed to get three large boxes of clothes packed and some freshly washed clothes are in the dryer as I type this. They were not really dirty as in having been worn lately, but they were rather dusty. I think I can spare a blanket or two.

:)

[Petra]

The magnitude of this has been difficult for me to wrap my mind around. I am sending my Christmas bonus to the International Red Cross and urge everyone to donate what they can. Get in touch with your local Red Cross, I am sure they can direct your clothing/food/blankets donations as needed.


That's so generous, Brandi. :bow:

[LadyShea]

That's so generous, Brandi. :bow:

Not really, it wasn't all that much. I did split it between the two organizations though because it was money I wasn't expecting to have anyway.

Here in the US, we have early warning systems and FEMA and all manner of relief....these poor people didn't know it was coming and had no place to run :(

[viscousmemories]

This is really sad. I don't systematically read the news anywhere and didn't notice this thread until a few minutes ago, so this is the first I've heard of it. It's times like these that I wish I had money and/or possessions above the bare necessities, so I could do something to help. Living on someone elses dime and having very few possessions makes that impossible. :(

[Petra]

Here in the US, we have early warning systems and FEMA and all manner of relief....these poor people didn't know it was coming and had no place to run :(

Yeah, much of the developed world is kitted up with early warning systems for known disaster risks. Unfortunately many of the poorer countries do not; and the costs in human, environmental and economic terms are great.

I was just reading this (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/12/27/international1741EST0599.DTL), and hoped that this would prompt the wealthier nations to make sure that international early warning systems truly are international.

Officials in Thailand and Indonesia conceded that immediate public warnings of gigantic waves could have saved lives. The only known warning issued by Thai authorities reached resort operators when it was too late. The waves hit Sri Lanka and India more than two hours after the quake.

But governments insisted they couldn't have known the true danger because there is no international system in place to track tsunamis in the Indian Ocean, and they could not afford the sophisticated equipment to build one.

Hopefully the following quote will amount to more than just talk and something real and effective will be put into place.

Australian Prime Minister John Howard said he would investigate what role his country could play in setting up an Indian Ocean warning system. The head of the British Commonwealth bloc of Britain and its former colonies called for talks on creating a global early warning system for tsunamis.

Egeland said the issue of creating a tsunami warning system would be taken up at the World Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, Japan from Jan. 18-22.

That said, it can still be hard to predict earthquakes and the tsunami that it created moved super quick! 500mph! :eek:

[Petra]

Living on someone elses dime and having very few possessions makes that impossible. :(

Hey, I totally understand. I lived out of a backpack for almost 10 years, and everything was essential.

I'm now in a position that I still don't have much money right at this minute, but thanks to mum's and others generosity since I had Zoe and had to make a home, I have an excess of assorted clothing, linen, bedding, etc.

But, yeah, I know what it's like to have nothing to give anymore, and I don't want to make you (or Socratoad) feel guilty about that. Not everyone has excess. I'm just fortunate right now in that I do. :yup:

[LadyShea]

I was just reading this (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2004/12/27/international1741EST0599.DTL), and hoped that this would prompt the wealthier nations to make sure that international early warning systems truly are international.

Officials in Thailand and Indonesia conceded that immediate public warnings of gigantic waves could have saved lives. The only known warning issued by Thai authorities reached resort operators when it was too late. The waves hit Sri Lanka and India more than two hours after the quake.

Even 2 hours would have been enough time to get people off the beaches and the fisherfolk out of the water. Apparently, just before a tsunami hits, the sea pulls way, way back quickly....I heard little children ran out there when the water did that to pick up fish :(

But governments insisted they couldn't have known the true danger because there is no international system in place to track tsunamis in the Indian Ocean, and they could not afford the sophisticated equipment to build one.

Hopefully the following quote will amount to more than just talk and something real and effective will be put into place.

VM, you may not have money or anything to send right now, but you could write letters to our government urging them to help fund early warning systems in the Indian ocean such as those found in the Pacific. Maybe next time the losses won't be so staggering.

[Socratoad]

Wow the massive size of this is only now becoming all too starkly understandable. I can hardly conceive that the resulting killer waves reached all the way to Somalia and Kenya .... mind boggling. I hope that those of you reading this post will forgive my cynicism. I refer to political leaders only now speaking out about building warning systems, etc. This old toad has seen and heard it all before all too many times. Within several months of all the dead rotting away in the earth. It will be politically expedient to backtrack on the promises and go back to the business of business as usual. If those in control of the world's finances had the sincerity and the will such systems and other much infrastructures would have been built several years ago needed. There would also be massive warehouse in strategic spots around the globe filled to the ceilings with everything needed for emergencies such as this.

And the tired old excuses that all such ventures are tooooooo expensive is just such a tired old crock of shit. It all about a reverence for life ethic value system rather than the corrupt value systems presently in vogue. If its another fucking war money is always found .... amazing is it not. I could go on and on as the hypocrisy of the international system would keep me busy listing the misdeeds until this post would make the Dead Sea scrolls seem about the size of a penguin paperback in comparison.

However disillusionment should not lead to a sense of apathetic helplessness for that is what has got us to the present state of affairs.

We all can do something .... try it, it will not only help others but also cure any self-esteem issues you may be dealing with.

Edit to add a further thought. Odd is it not that we rich western powers mainly the US would consider such measures as I have mentioned above as being far too expensive to put in place and yet be willing to spend untold billions to try and build some fantasy-like anti-missile shield to protect North America that cannot possibly work .... but just think of all the wonderful pork barrelling opportunities for those that already have far too much.

[Adora]

Well, it wasn't actually "killer waves' that reached Kenya & Omar & Africa, but just largish type water movements. Which isn't incomprehensible, when you consider Krakatoa's ripples in the currents went around the world 3 times. It's to be expected with a tectonic movement of this scale.

But yes, it is quite shocking. Last time I checked, the death toll was around 23000. A friend of mine has family in Sri Lanka and she's getting people involved in charities. I've donated a good chunk of my Christmas cash to some of the groups, because it's going to seriously effect the region in ways I consider important. Honestly, I don't really have anything else to give.

It shall be interesting to see the political repurcussions of this, however. You've got the seriously effected Tamal regions in the north of Sri Lanka, and this is Bang Bang's first real challange during his first term. It's also going to open up conflicted areas in Indonesia like Aceh to humanitarian groups who have previously been denied access.

[Socratoad]

Yes after a few hours sleep even I realize that Krakatoa's ripples would of course reach that far. Damn its frightening to think how close I was to losing my mind after over two days without sleep. I'm still not feeling anywhere's close to being the brightest bulb on the tree.

But this thread is not about me. Your thoughts concerning Aceh are among those that started running through my mind as well.

Guess I better check on the latest news about that troubled corner of the world. I appreciate your impressions, observations of the unfolding disaster, seeing that you are several thousand miles closer than am I.

[viscousmemories]

This was posted on a related thread at SkepticalCommunity:

The U.S. State Department has established a hotline for people worried about loved ones in the area of the quake and tsunamis -- (888) 407-4747. Overseas, the number is (317) 472-2328.

[freemonkey]

I'm having difficulty finding any group in my area that will accept donations of material goods. :(

[LadyShea]

I'm having difficulty finding any group in my area that will accept donations of material goods. :(

The Red Cross won't take them? That's terrible!

[LadyShea]

Jimmy Higgins at IIDB wrote the following letter to his senator and gave me permission to heavily plagiarize. I think we all should send letters to our senators...it's at least something we can do. The death toll may reach well over 100k when the outlying islands are reached and disease and famine take their toll.

Dear Senator __:

I am writing in response about America's commitment to the victims of the Tsunami in Southern Asia and Eastern Africa. As of now, the death toll is spiraling out of control. Millions have lost everything, including the villages in which they lived. During our lifetimes, we probably will never witness again a natural disaster of this magnitude. Yet the Bush Administration has earmarked only $15 million for relief efforts. http://rds.yahoo.com/S=53720272/K=1...src=rss/topNews

I find this as a slap in the face of those who have suffered in this terrible event. The Congress okayed the spending of $7 billion to the approximately 5500 victims of the 9/11 attack. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy...-2004Nov17.html Why such a small amount for those in Asia and Africa?

I find this terribly hypocritical. In a time when the President calls for America to do what's right for the world, by invading nations to free people from tyranny, and he calls for Americans to volunteer to help those within our own borders, I find it awfully hypocritical to pledge an insignificant $15 million to help those who have suffered from one of the worst natural disasters in recorded history. The US spends billions on the war in Iraq, yet, the US can't find it in its heart to openly give such amounts to those who no longer have a village or town to call home?

Perhaps its my cynicism, however, I can't help but notice that the areas struck lack in oil, Christians, or Caucasians. I certainly hope this isn't why America isn't giving as much as it possibly can to help restore whatever life we can to the areas destroyed by the tsunamis. If America is to ever gain the graces of the world again, we must lead in efforts to restore life where we have nothing to gain but the calming of the pain in our hearts that we should be feeling for those suffering in Asia and Africa.

Please do what is right and demand that America invest into the stricken areas as it did within its own borders when the lives of thousands were harmed on September 11th. Please help to prove to the world that we, as a nation, do care!

[Petra]

I'm having difficulty finding any group in my area that will accept donations of material goods. :(

Me, too.

I donated the stuff to the Red Cross store, though, so hopefully if it sells the money will be used in the disaster area.

I also called the NZ Red Cross hotline to donate $60 (3x$20) which will simply be added to my next phone bill.


Zoot, Sycophant, Godfather...if you can afford it, call one or more of these NZ numbers to donate:

To make a donation Red Cross: 0900 31 100 to make $20 donations

Christian World Service: 0800 74 73 72, PO Box 22-652, Christchurch

Oxfam: phone donations 0800 600 700

TEAR Fund: 0800 800 777

World Vision: 0800 80 2000

Caritas: 0900 411 11 for $20 donations, PO Box 12-193 Wellington


http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?c_id=1&ObjectID=9004803

[Petra]

Great letter, Jimmy Higgins!

[Socratoad]

Every once in a while along comes a letter or essay that instantly moves the reflex action in my mind to exclaim, "I wish I had written that" Jimmy's letter is one of those. Although Jimmy not I wrote the letter and that is what matters. Envy is a ugly emotion I conquered years ago, and so what matters is that the letter has been written. I salute Jimmy for writing it and I salute Brandi for bringing it to our attention. I really must go over to IIDB and personally thank Jimmy. He is a poster I learned much respect for over there.

This old toad is hopping busy trying to get everything I can together and to contact local agencies. Now Jimmy has handed me a new task even though he is unaware and that is to investigate my own recently mealymouthed government and ascertain what they are doing and are planning on doing. If they are even close to being so miserly and lacking both in sincerity and compassion as is the Bush clownworks then I better get busy drafting a missive to them, with copies to the major newspapers up here in Polarbearland.

Fifteen million lousy dollars! What a fucking insult. Tis unbelievable. Such hypocrisy :fuming: :fuming: :fuming: :fuming:

Just compare that sum with the weekly cost of the ordinance that is falling upon the heads of Iraqis. :(

[Socratoad]

A salute also to the compassion and organizational abilities/ efforts of Lunachic. :wave:

[freemonkey]

I'm having difficulty finding any group in my area that will accept donations of material goods. :(

The Red Cross won't take them? That's terrible!

From my local Red Cross site:

Donate In-Kind Products

The Red Cross is unable to accept small, individual donations or collections of items such as clothing, food or cleaning supplies. The cost to sort, package and distribute these types of donations to disaster victims is almost always greater than the cost of purchasing the items locally, and it is logistically impossible to distribute a wide variety of individual items in a meaningful way. Because of these cost and logistical concerns, we recommend that you support your community by donating these items to an organization that is equipped to put them to the best possible local use.

I understand the reasons, and agree that its better to donate these types of things locally, and so will continue to do that.

BTW, that's a great letter that Jimmy Higgins wrote, thanks for posting it. I was thinking that the sheer enormity of the number of lives lost is staggering when compared to those lost on 9/11 (for example), and the outlay of money and effort is incredibly disproportionate.

Toad, don't beat yourself up for wishing you'd written that letter, think of it as a sincere compliment to Jimmy. :yup:

[lady cop]

now the US has upped the donation to total of $35 million. it is a distinct likelihood that cholera and dysentery are going to decimate the remaining population. bodies are rotting unburied, and sanitation is non-existant.

[Scotty]

Here is a link from our web-site, to Mercy Corps.

Mercy Corps (http://www.mercycorps.org/items/2280)

This is where to donate (https://ssl.charityweb.net/mercycorps/giftbasket/donation.htm?pDonorIntent=SoutheastAsiaEarthquake&Custom15=wm)

-Scott

[livius drusus]

Great links, Scotty; thank you. :thankee:

[Petra]

A salute also to the compassion and organizational abilities/ efforts of Lunachic. :wave:

LOL. Thanks, Socratoad. I appreciate your sentiment, but I've really done nothing exceptional. Aside from a couple of scattered hours, all I've really done is sit on my arse digesting a bellyfull of Christmas treats and wine.

It's organisations like the Red Cross and Red Cresent, Doctors Without Borders, and others, who are the real heroes when it comes to catastrophes such as this.

[Petra]

now the US has upped the donation to total of $35 million. it is a distinct likelihood that cholera and dysentery are going to decimate the remaining population. bodies are rotting unburied, and sanitation is non-existant.

That's great to hear, lady cop. I hope they follow through.

It is not unusual for governments to pledge money, but often it is more of a PR move than a genuine pledge, as much of what is pledged is not actually delivered. (This is not an anti-US slur; the US is far from alone in the practice of reneging on it's promises!)

It's us as individuals across the globe that will make the greater contributions to the relief effort. :yup:


Scotty, thanks for additional links! :wave:

[Socratoad]

A salute also to the compassion and organizational abilities/ efforts of Lunachic. :wave:

LOL. Thanks, Socratoad. I appreciate your sentiment, but I've really done nothing exceptional. Aside from a couple of scattered hours, all I've really done is sit on my arse digesting a bellyfull of Christmas treats and wine.

It's organisations like the Red Cross and Red Cresent, Doctors Without Borders, and others, who are the real heroes when it comes to catastrophes such as this.


Yes dear Luna, I'm well aware of the work the organizations you mention do. Oh my how soon they forget :wink: I worked in foreign relief agencies as a volunteer for more than twenty years during many disasters, mostly war or famine related. Sometimes in the area now affected. That is why on another post I mentioned feeling so damned useless. I can not longer jump on a plane and be anywhere.
Its your contribution here dear Luna that I was saluting :bow:

I too am having trouble sending material goods. However I cannot speak to those of you in countries other than my own, but usually here smaller organizations get together and charter aircraft and take tons of clothing and medical supplies. During several disasters the Canadian air force has flown many loads of clothing and other donated to stricken areas. I expect the same will happen this time. Perhaps some of you can check into such possibilities in your respective countries. Processed foods, pasta and such less weighty foods have usually been accepted.

IMO the Red Cross in many ways has become far too officious in recent years and automatically refuses to accept much but cash because their bureaucracy is just to fucking unimaginative. However give to them or to whatever relief agencies available to you.

[Petra]

IMO the Red Cross in many ways has become far too officious in recent years and automatically refuses to accept much but cash because their bureaucracy is just to fucking unimaginative. However give to them or to whatever relief agencies available to you.


I guess governments will donate the use of ...whatever those big cargo-type planes are called...for carrying material goods after the initial cleanup.

I can understand that right now they are crying out for cash. Cash is what will make immediate relief happen now.

Also, for those who are concerned that much of the money they donate will be wasted on administration costs, I was assured on the Red Cross line that my money would be 100% for relief aid and not a penny on admin costs. :)

[Socratoad]

You are right of course Luna. After all the writing I've done ever away back when Christ was still only a corporal I'm still a one-handed (the left one at that, the numb one) and so I should have made that clear that it takes time to orgasnize the appropriate aircraft, etc. The trouble on my end is that I often do not thoroughly explain things simply because my magic finger (the one I type with) grows weary. :writer:

Sorry, but do you know how much a good typist can comand on the open market? :P Probably not enough actually. :shrug:

[Petra]

...away back when Christ was still only a corporal...

LOL. :D


Don't beat yourself up, Socratoad. We can only do so much - some of us can do very little; some of us can do more. That's just the way things are. :yup:

:hugsmile:

[Petra]

By the way, in the 24 hours or so since I began this thread, the death toll has jumped from 16,000 to 52,000. :(

[Socratoad]

...away back when Christ was still only a corporal...

LOL. :D


Don't beat yourself up, Socratoad. We can only do so much - some of us can do very little; some of us can do more. That's just the way things are. :yup:

:hugsmile:

Thanks dear friend, it is taking me several posts to get across the point I was trying to make albeit not very successfully. The real reason I wished to try to get across is that there must be thousands upon thousands of people, that just do not have any cash they can spare and so feel left out of any way to participate in giving. That is why I mentioned that they still might be able to contribute.

I've become very proficient at beating myself up thank you. :D

In spite of the grin above I really do not much feel like grinning. The pictures in my mind are about to drive me crazy, especially as the numbers climb and climb and climb. I just saw a picture of a young Thia woman standing beside a truck full of bodies. Still I prefer being able to feel grief than to feel indifference or nothing at all.

And doncha put those clothes and duvet away that you got ready just yet.

[Petra]

And doncha put those clothes and duvet away that you got ready just yet.

I've already given them away. I gave them to the Red Cross shop in town here. They can sell them and use the money as needed.


One thing that those who cannot give anything can do is to perhaps call local radio stations and urge them to get involved in fundraising efforts on air, if they haven't already. They can challenge businesses and individuals to a set target within a set time frame and get the community involved in that way. It is beneficial to them as a radio station as it increases their profile and community activism, too, so it's a win-win thing.

[Adora]

Where do you live freemonkey?

[freemonkey]

Where do you live freemonkey?
I'm near Seattle, WA, USA.

[Sycophant]

I also called the NZ Red Cross hotline to donate $60 (3x$20) which will simply be added to my next phone bill.

Zoot, Sycophant, Godfather...if you can afford it, call one or more of these NZ numbers to donate

Thanks Luna, I was going to ask what organisations you were looking at in NZ. I am a little skint at the moment, but I should be reasonably flush by the time my next phone bill rolls in so I made three calls to that 0900 number.

I don't have any really useful material goods to offer, but I've read articles from aid agencies saying how difficult it can be to accept donations of goods for situations like these, so that's cool by me.

[ceptimus]

Also, for those who are concerned that much of the money they donate will be wasted on administration costs, I was assured on the Red Cross line that my money would be 100% for relief aid and not a penny on admin costs. :)
I'm afraid that is just not realistic. I'm sure the Red Cross endeavours to keep its admin budget as low as possible, but it will certainly be more than 0%.

Also, most aid organisations spend quite a bit on advertising. This is justifiable however, as the advertising results in more money coming in, and therefore more money reaching the sufferers.

[Sycophant]

Also, for those who are concerned that much of the money they donate will be wasted on administration costs, I was assured on the Red Cross line that my money would be 100% for relief aid and not a penny on admin costs. :)
I'm afraid that is just not realistic. I'm sure the Red Cross endeavours to keep its admin budget as low as possible, but it will certainly be more than 0%.

Also, most aid organisations spend quite a bit on advertising. This is justifiable however, as the advertising results in more money coming in, and therefore more money reaching the sufferers.

The donation line in question was specifically for this disaster. The Red Cross pays for all it's administrative costs from seperate funds. So all the money donated on that phone line will go directly to the relief effort, and not pay for advertising or operational costs related to the collection of that money or any other operational cost.

Obviously money generally donated to the Red Cross will be spent on administration as well as specific relief programs.

Also, I know a lot of aid agencies get in-kind donations in relation to advertising from broadcasters and production companies. That has certainly been the case locally in many situations like this in the past. I know people personally who have done freebie work for these groups, and I certainly would do so.

[Petra]

I was going to ask what organisations you were looking at in NZ. I am a little skint at the moment, but I should be reasonably flush by the time my next phone bill rolls in so I made three calls to that 0900 number.

Good man! :D :bow:



And, yep, your explanation of Red Cross admin cost management is taken care of by things like money earned from their stores and what-have-you. This relief aid is a 100% focussed effort, with costs already taken care of by their ongoing work during times of peace and calm. At least that's how I understand it, anyway.

[Dingfod]

I was following this story since immediately after it happened on BBC news online (http://news.bbc.co.uk/). I knew right away this was a major disaster and that because of the remoteness of many of the villages on the shores of the affected countries, the death toll would be much higher than they were first reporting. I almost immediately made an online donation to Doctors Without Borders (http://www.doctorswithoutborders-usa.org/donate/) and Red Cross Red Crescent (http://www.ifrc.org/helpnow/donate/donate_response.asp). So what I have to eat peanut butter without jelly until next payday. That's nothing. I would also donate my perfectly good 9x13 canvas tent, a couple of sleeping bags, and some blankets if I knew of a good way to do that. Maybe my local Red Cross?

[Darren]

Fifteen million lousy dollars! What a fucking insult. Tis unbelievable. Such hypocrisy :fuming: :fuming: :fuming: :fuming:

Just compare that sum with the weekly cost of the ordinance that is falling upon the heads of Iraqis. :(

Apparently that sum is equivalent to the daily cost of military operations in Iraq!

[Zoot]

Zoot, Sycophant, Godfather...if you can afford it, call one or more of these NZ numbers to donate:

But, my drinks money!

[Petra]

Zoot, Sycophant, Godfather...if you can afford it, call one or more of these NZ numbers to donate:

But, my drinks money!

LOL. Smart arse.



I watched BBC footage on the news last night. The news often makes me feel angry or sad, but very, very rarely makes me cry. I couldn't help myself last night though, watching children lying around unattended for hours and hours as their wounds go gangrene, etc. The bodies piled up and unable to be identified, the absolute horror of it all. I cried and cried, it was just too much to bear. Even Paul was fighting back tears. It's all so overwhelming. :(