The INTERNATIONAL RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT societies in south Asia have begun to mobilize staff and volunteers to affected areas to assist with the immediate needs. Emergency assessment and first-aid teams have already reached some of the affected areas.
Call 1-800-HELP-NOW. Contributions to the International Response Fund may be sent to your 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
www.redcross.org.
RELIEF INTERNATIONAL
http://www.ri.org/ If you prefer to donate by phone, please call +1 (310) 478-1200.
CARE USA
http://www.careusa.org/ 1-800-422-7385
ISLAMIC RELIEF WORLDWIDE RESPONSE launched an effort to get medical supplies, tents and sanitations facilities for the victims of the earthquake. To donate, send checks to Islamic Relief, 1919 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91506, call(888) 479-4968, or visit:
www.irw.org
ASIA RELIEF, a Maryland based nonprofit organization, is accepting donations of nonperishable food items, clothing and toys for victims of the tsunami in Sri Lanka. Cash donations are also being accepted. To contribute, drop off donations anytime at 19409 Olive Tree Way, Gaithersburg, MD, 20879. Contact Seyed Rizwan Mowlana at 301-672-9355 for more information.
ISLAMIC CIRCLE OF NORTH AMERICA (ICNA) Relief has established an Indonesia, India & Sri Lanka Relief Fund to provide food, medicine, clothes, tents & other urgently needed supplies. To donate, visit www.ReliefOnLine.org or send checks to 166-26 89th Ave Jamaica, NY 11432, Tel.718-68-7028.
CARE Australia teams from Sri Lanka, Indonesia, India and Thailand are traveling to affected areas to gauge the impact of the disaster. Donations can be made through the CARE Australia website (www.careaustralia.org.au) or by phoning 1-800-020-046.
ALSO: The United Nations group UNICEF said Monday it was sending a team of experts to assess damage and how to mobilize relief to the region. Mercy Corps, an international coalition of humanitarian agencies based in Portland, Oregon, also said it was accepting financial aid for tsunami victims. Donations to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are being accepted at its Web site. Doctors Without Borders said it is getting ready to bring help to the region. Its Web site also has a place to provide donations. (
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org)
All Local Consulates of Affected Countries Are Also Accepting Donations.
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If you don't have money to send, don't worry about it. Be sure, however, to pray for the victims and their families.