The horrible disaster that has struck south east Asia starting Boxing Day is no new news. In an effort to help, I've taken some time to come up with some little and maybe "less than little" ways you can help out. I'm also going to provide links to information and charity sites that are helping.
1. Click for food - The Hunger site (http://www.thehungersite.com/), directly benefits Mercy Corps, a charity that gives 91% of its resources to humanitarian efforts. They need you clicks more than ever, so be sure every day to click.
2. Donate - You can donate as little or as much as you want. Amazon.com features a quick and easy way to donate to the American Red Cross who are providing support for the disaster releif. Suggestions for how much to donate, include fasting for a meal or giving up a night on the town and donating that money to those in grave need. Note, that you will need a credit card for this one. World Vision is also a highly recommended charity as it uses such a high percentage of the donations it receives for releif.
3. Learn More - Keep abreast of the events and ways you can help. CNN.com is a massive resource, despite my usual distaste for that company. CNN also features an appeal process that you can use if you are missing family in the affected area. The SEA-EAT Blog features enourmous amounts of information on everything from charity to how to find lost family in South East Asia.
This is the kind of disaster that is of such magnitude that no one could possible prepare once it happens. Luckly suppost has been pouring in on the internet and elsewhere, but naturally speed is of the essence concerning this disaster. Shortages of food, loss of homes and clothing, starvation and the threat of disease are all real threats that will surely keep balooning this disaster for months to come. Help is needed quickly to aid as many people as possible... the death count goes up by 10' of thousands a day. As of this writing cnn.com reports 116,000 dead.
EDIT : Hey, I need a hand finding something. There's a huge call for clothing for those affected. If anyone knows of a website or local charity that is collecting clothing, send me a link or info so I can post it here.
Ok, so I'm gonna comment on my own blog, mostly because I want to keep this current blog at the head of my page for a while longer.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how much impace the tsunami has had on the world. The internet has come alive in the interests of support and making others realize the gravity of the situation. I personally am very glad that the world has taken notice. Unfortunately it makes you relize the problems that the world has.
I plan on discussing one of these problems in a later blog. For now check out http://www.cockeyed.com/citizen/disaster/disaster.html to get a feel for the sheer vastness of this tragedy.
This is Shanna...
ReplyDeleteWell, this certainly is a huge disaster. Japan has really stepped up with a huge donation, showing the US that it's not a contest as to who can contribute the most. You help because people need it, not because you want to look good.
Anyway, aid is finally starting to arrive and all these people can start putting their lives back together, so hopefully things will turn around soon.