My heart goes out to everyone involved in this, yet another, disaster. I pray for the safety of all who we know who have passed our way.

Sheri

More than 5000 people have been died. Most of them are from Sri Lanka and India. Our met expert Mr. Asif said, undoubtedly the quake was measured 8.9 in magnitude. He also said, quake band is far from Pakistan. It is about 30 thousand kilometers away in the coastal regions. Most deaths are due to oscean huge waves which destroyed houses near by the areas and several villages appeared to have been swept away. Pakistan Government is sending relief supplies to affected areas. Although India itself is affected but Indian govt has already sent two ships to srilankan border for resue needs.

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Homeopath

When an earth quake hitted Iran, Dr. Bhattia was that person who first floated appeal on a homeopathic web site to help the needy people of Iran. I think we should sign an appeal on homeo list to provide assistance in rehablitating quake affected people. Yes, I am not in a position to help them out but what I can do is to send mails to others to help the needy community of India , srilanka and others. May be among us there could be someone send relief package to them.

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Homeopath

Send money.

SK

Good idea Simon.

To all my friends,

http://www.oxfam.org.uk
MAIN PAGE FOR DONATIONS

(be careful who you are donating to......Red Cross has not been very reliable or ethical in their dealings in the past)

OXFAM is a wonderful organization (as far as I know) - focusing on poverty & suffering throughout the world and also careful with the products they work with - working a lot with 'fair trade' issues & exposing corporate rape.
http://www.maketradefair.com/en/inde...ile=dumped.htm (info on this here)

We know how much is wasted in many organizations and how most of them there are to vaccinate the world to death, making money as they do it.

We will never have peace until we relieve the world of poverty (which in many cases has been caused by US & UK and other 1st world countries taking and giving little in return.

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_we_do/issues/index.htm

AND
here is how they work......
http://www.oxfam.org.uk/what_we_do/i..._work/aims.htm

Oxfam believes that:


Poverty is a denial of the basic rights to which every human being is entitled.
Poverty is of different kinds, and needs to be understood in its entirety, rather than in part.
Poverty makes people more vulnerable to conflict and disasters.
Poverty is avoidable. Our purpose is to overcome its causes, not simply to alleviate its symptoms.

Oxfam’s Aims

Oxfam's vision is of a world where there is no longer poverty and suffering. We want to help ensure that every individual is assured of...

a sustainable livelihood (the means to earn a reasonable living over many years)
education and health (access to basic services)
life and security (when conflict or natural disasters strike)
a right to be heard (by those who make the decisions that affect their lives)
a right to equity (not to be disadvantaged because of their gender or ethnic identity)

Long-term Objectives

Oxfam’s five aims are very broad in scope and its resources limited. In order that these resources can be channeled to areas where they can have the greatest impact, Oxfam has agreed a set of nine statements which describe what we would like people living in poverty to be able to achieve for themselves.

These are long-term objectives towards which we will make a specific contribution as part of the broader global movement against poverty and injustice. They are objectives which will guide the work of the whole organisation – not just the international programme – and against which we will judge our impact.

1. People living in poverty will achieve food and income security.
2. People living in poverty will have access to secure paid employment, labour rights, and improved working conditions.
3. People living in poverty will achieve tangible improvements in their health, through increased access to basic health services, clean water, and sanitation.
4. All children living in poverty will achieve their right to a good quality basic education, and poor adults will have access to sufficient educational opportunities to help overcome their poverty.
5. Fewer people die, fall sick, and suffer deprivation as a result of armed conflict or natural disasters.
6. Fewer people will suffer personal or communal violence, forced displacement, or armed conflict.
7. All people will have an effective voice in influencing decisions affecting their lives, will achieve their civil and political rights, and will enjoy equal status with others.
8. Women and men will enjoy equal rights.
9. Ethnic, cultural, and other groups oppressed or marginalised by reasons of their identity will enjoy equal rights and status with other people

http://www.oxfam.org.uk/press/releas...uake1_1204.htm
Oxfam Press Release - 26 December 2004

Oxfam prepares response to Asian Earthquake floods

The devastating floods that have affected East and South Asia will need to be met with a rapid response if the death toll is not to rise further, warned international aid agency Oxfam today.

Oxfam has already started work in the region. In the worst affected areas of Sri Lanka Oxfam staff have been working non-stop ferrying the injured to hospital. Oxfam is now urgently assessing the situation in the worse affected regions and preparing a significant response.

Jasmine Whitbread, Oxfam's International Director said,

"Thousands have already died because of the flooding, but unless there is a rapid response to the emergency, many more people could die in the coming days. The flood waters will have contaminated drinking water and food will be scare. Oxfam already has staff in the worst affected regions assessing how we can best help. Oxfam flood experts who have worked on other major flood disasters are on planes already destined for the worst hit regions"

The aid effort is likely to be hampered by the impact of the flood waters. In Trincomalee in Sri Lanka for example the Oxfam HQ has been flooded destroying communications and key relief items, such as water tanks, have been taken away with the retreating waters. Telephone lines are either down or choked with calls.

Red Cross has an easy way to donate as well:

http://www.redcross.org.uk/Campaign.asp?ID=38543

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"The significance of a fact is measured by the capacity of the observer."
Carroll Dunham

Sorry, mean to add this with the red cross link:
http://www.redcross.org.uk/Campaign.asp?ID=38543

Asia Earthquake and Flood Appeal:
The British Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal in response to the widespread flooding caused by a massive earthquake off the coast of Sumatra.

The undersea earthquake, which occurred early on Boxing Day, was the most powerful in 40 years. Tidal waves swept across south east Asia, killing thousands and affecting hundreds of thousands more.

The International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is at the forefront of the response to this disaster.

Paul Anticoni, British Red Cross head of international aid: "The priority for the Red Cross is to get relief supplies into the region as quickly as possible and, if necessary, to send in teams of disaster response experts who can support the volunteers and staff already working in the affected countries."

What is the Red Cross doing?

• Across south east Asia, Red Cross volunteers trained in disaster response are evacuating people and giving first aid to the injured.
• A British Red Cross logistics team is ready to fly to the region.
• The British Red Cross has launched an appeal to help fund emergency supplies such as tarpaulins, blankets, cooking utensils and water purification tablets.
• The 'Asia earthquake and flood appeal' will also support rehabilitation work in the weeks and months to come.

Help us reach those who have lost everything. Please, give whatever you can today.

Ways to give to the Asia flood and earthquake appeal...

• Make a secure online donation by credit or debit card at the bottom of this page (see link above)
  
• Give over the phone by ringing 08705 125 125
• Send cheques, made payable to British Red Cross - Asia earthquake and flood appeal, to: Asia Earthquake and Flood Appeal - Internet, The British Red Cross, FREEPOST, LOM 18968, Sheffield, S98 12A

Each government has set up funding spots in different cities. People can easily donate money and other items at those spots. The people living in foriegn countries they can donate through government accounts which are reliable and authentic.

Remember, the fund which different NGOs or organizations receive, they expense 40 % of funding on their own administrative jobs and employee's salaries etc. But when you donate through government accounts all funds will be utilized on affected people because employees are already getting salaries from the other government heads.

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Homeopath

Those keen on chipping in with money contributions can send a cheque to "Prime Minister's Relief Fund".The cheque can be drawn on State Bank Of India Delhi Branch and sent to PMO (Prime Minister's Office) in New Delhi.

I am sure a similar arrangement exists for Srilanka also.I am not aware of the exact details.

Murthy

Yes, that was also my point.

This is the most authentic way to contribute, if desire

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Homeopath