We can all do a bit...
Donate some of that post Christmas spending money...only buy half the prawns you were going to for the New Year party ...drink two bottles of beer less (a real sacrifice)...JUST GIVE UP A LITTLE it can help so much
Some information on how the money the government contirbuted will be spent...and then some aide organisations who are always there at these time to help
This is from the DFAT website...
Australia has made an initial contribution of $10 million:
*$5 million will go to support a public appeal launched by the Australian Red Cross (this will support the international appeal including deployment of Red Cross personnel to make assessments of where immediate assistance is required)
*$3 million to provide assistance to Indonesia
*$2 million to Australian NGOs who undertake community level work in the region.
Foreign Minister Downer has announced further aid contributions totalling $25 million. This is in addition to the initial contribution of $10 million.
Specific new allocations are:
*Indonesia: $10m to support immediate needs
*Sri Lanka: $5m to support international emergency relief efforts.
*Australian NGOs: A further $5m to support the relief programs and appeals of AusAID
*International relief: A $5m allocation to support international emergency relief efforts in other affected countries, including Thailand and the Maldives
Relief agencies are best able to identify critical needs and cash gifts are the most practical way to help those agencies to purchase materials and meet logistical costs.
*Australian Red Cross:
Australian Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal, in support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies initial appeal for approximately A$8.5 million. The appeal aims to provide assistance to some 500,000 people after the strongest earthquake in 40 years caused massive tidal waves, killing at least 11,500 people, according to local authorities, and leaving more than one million displaced and homeless. Countries affected include Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Maldives.
The number of injured is still not known. With telecommunications lines down or saturated, there is still a scarcity of information from certain countries.
The appeal aims to bring immediate support to relief operations of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies operating in the affected region.
To Donate to the Asia Quake and Tsunamis Appeal:
Call 1800 811 700
visit
www.redcross.org.au to make a secure online donation
send a cheque to GPO Box 9949 in your capital city
*Care Australia
http://www.careaustralia.org.au/
CARE is already delivering assistance in most of the countries hit by the tsunamis and will continue to expand its emergency response:
• Sri Lanka appears to be the country hit hardest by the tsunami. CARE has already begun relief response programmes in the affected areas and expects to provide food for 14,000 people in the Batticaloa district over the next several days.
• In India, the affected area is in the southeast, mainly the coastal parts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerela, Pondicherry and the nearby islands. CARE is coordinating its emergency response with Indian state and federal governments, and with a local partner.
• The area most affected in Thailand includes the provinces of Phuket, Krabi, Phang Nga and Ranong. CARE is assessing the situation with a focus on assistance to migrant populations.
• The area most affected in Indonesia currently appears to be the province of Aceh, which felt the full force of the earthquake. CARE is preparing to provide clean water to affected populations.
CARE’s emergency response to all affected areas will include provision of items such as food, water purification tablets, soap, shelter materials, basic medical supplies and cooking supplies.
To make a single gift, donate online or call 1800 020 046
*Caritas
www.caritas.org.au/
Caritas is the world’s second largest international aid network and is represented in 162 countries.
Caritas already works with local churches and organisations in the affected areas of India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Bangladesh. This is critical - having the trust of affected communities and being on the ground means we can immediately meet the needs of the most vulnerable.
Caritas Australia will be channeling support through the local Caritas networks in Sri Lanka and India and through the Jesuit Refugee Service in Indonesia who have offices in Aceh and North Sumatra.
What is Caritas Australia doing?
Caritas Australia has committed $500,000 dollars in response to the disaster. We have launched the Asia Earthquake Appeal and set a target to raise $1 million.
Caritas workers on the ground are addressing the urgent concerns of those affected in Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
Key areas of emergency work include:
● Emergency health assistance for those affected by the disaster
● Providing shelter for those who have lost their houses
● Identification of missing people
● Prevention of the rapid spread of water-borne diseases
● Mass burials and funerals for the dead
Donations to help the victims of the Asia Earthquake can be made on-line or by contacting 1800 024 413
*Oxfam-Community Aid Abroad
http://www.oxfam.org.au/
Oxfam Community Aid Abroad 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 as well as collecting and identifying the dead.
The flood waters have contaminated wells and clean water is scarce. Oxfam has already sent sixty 1,000 litre water tanks to Trincomalee, one of the worst affected areas and is planning urgent water distribution. Oxfam is also preparing 25,000 food packs containing rice, flour, dhal, fish, sugar and cereal to address the food needs of people who have lost everything. A further 10,000 hygeine packs containing other essential items such as soap, sanitary towels, candles and matches are being put together.
Shelter is also a major issue with thousands of houses completely destroyed. Oxfam is sourcing plastic sheeting for temporary shelter for 10,000 families. In the north of the country, Oxfam has already started distributing sleeping mats, plastic sheeting and food to thousands of homeless families
To donate to Oxfam Community Aid Abroad's EARTHQUAKE TSUNAMI EMERGENCY FUND call 1800 034 034
*World Vision Australia
http://www.worldvision.com.au/
World Vision anticipates emergency needs and prepares to meet them before disaster strikes.
Through your support, World Vision is able to pre-stock ‘ready-to-go’ emergency supplies in warehouses strategically located in the United States, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy.
These warehouses allow us to quickly send emergency supplies such as water purification tablets, shelter materials, cooking utensils and blankets to devastated areas.
When World Vision responds to a disaster, staff can be there within 72 hours. World Vision’s Global Rapid Response Team (GRRT) is made up of fulltime relief experts. Our ongoing worldwide work in nearly 100 countries gives us contacts in local areas, who can help to get relief programs up and running quickly in an emergency
In Sri Lanka World Vision already has 10 teams working in 10 districts, with aid including the provision of pre-cooked food. The teams are also looking at how aid can be provided as people return home. This includes further food rations, utensils, clothing and tents for shelter. Because wells have been contaminated we are also looking at the provision of safe drinking water when people return to their villages. At present the Sri Lankan Government is providing safe drinking water to those who have lost their homes.
In India we are feeding about 5,000 people a day with pre-cooked food and also have a team of five doctors who are providing mobile medical aid. We also have a mobile doctor in Thailand.
In Indonesia we are providing clothing as well as shovels and hammers to clear the debris. We have also already provided five water storage units, each capable of holding 5,000 litres of water. World Vision is also setting up child friendly centres with activities that will enable children to have some semblance of normality and reduce the effects of trauma.
We have no knowledge of any deaths of any children sponsored through World Vision Australia although 100 children sponsored through World Vision Canada in Sri Lanka are missing. We will be sending out letters shortly to supporters with an update on sponsored children.
WELL these some of the main organisations you can donate a little money to...and a run down on the work they are doing over there right now
