From the outset, we have wondered what type of relief each of the major relief organizations provides and where they are providing it. In many television interviews, we hear heads of organizations talk in generalities, describing the need to get to victims fast and protect children against predators. Nothing wrong with that, but what exactly is each organization doing with its share of the money?
This analysis will take several days to post so we will post the analysis as we prepare it. Please keep in mind that information is updated continuously from these organizations so for the most current information, please check each organization's website. Nevertheless, we believe our analysis will be helpful because it is designed to provide a brief overview of what each organization is doing.
While we believe all of these organizations to be reputable, we can't guarantee that to be the case, or that these organizations will adhere to donor designations. We don't endorse any of these organizations.
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NOTE TO RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS. We don't find many of the relief organizations to be particularly helpful in setting out what they are doing for the victims to the South Asia earthquake-tsunami disaster. Many repeat general facts about the disaster, and then proclaim that they are providing humanitarian relief. We also know that there has been a great deal of suffering and death so no need to keep telling repeating these facts. We urge you to be more specific in describing your short and long-term activities and plans. People want to know what you actually plan do with the money you are raising.
As an aside, you are missing an opportunity to provide many people who are new to your organization with a clear view of what your organization does. Rather than forcing your website visitors to hunt for information by viewing multiple web pages, why not take a few hours to put together a comprehensive discussion describing who you are and what your organization actually does? And drop the PhD lingo. Terms like "civil society," "human rights," "economic justice," and "justice for women" may sound nice, but don't describe your activities or successes.
NOTE TO READERS. Bookmark this post. As we write more descriptions, we will post them. If you are a major relief organization and want to speed the posting of information about your organization, feel free to follow our format and e-mail us a description--we do reserve the right to edit or not post information.
AMERICAN FRIENDS SERVICE COMMITTEE: AFSC is an organization associated with the Quakers designed to put Quaker values in action. It has more than 35-years of experience in Indonesia. AFSC is focused on both short-term and long-terms needs of the victims.
Tsunami Funding. A spokesperson for the organization informed us that AFSC had raised $1.5 million earmarked for tsunami relief as of sometime last week. The spokesperson indicated that AFSC had the good fortune to have long-term supporters who have given AFSC’s general fund, largely alleviating concerns about overhead allocation issues.
Aid Provided. AFSC’s partner organization, the Society for Health, Education, Environment, and Peace (SHEEP) is sending a second medical team, sponsored by AFSC, with more than one ton of medical supplies and food to join a team of 40 that left Jakarta on the December 27. A third team of 33 members with additional supplies is scheduled to depart for Aceh on January 7. The second and third teams will concentrate their efforts on the Meulaboh area, which has received only limited assistance.
Basic Approach. An AFSC spokesperson indicated that AFSC is still accessing the long-term needs of the victims. We were directed to the organization’s website to learn what programs AFSC had implemented in El Salvador following Hurricane Mitch in order to get a sense of how AFSC might approach the problems posed in South Asia. The following excerpt from AFSC should provide some insight (with the understanding that AFSC is not saying it will undertake this specific type of program in South Asia):
As AFSC received funds for response to the El Salvador Earthquake, it consulted with partner organizations about how best to use these to fill in gaps that were not being covered, and to look for ways to use the projects to encourage efforts and build bridges that might be especially constructive in the long-run.
This was particularly the case with AFSC's focus on rebuilding of schools and mental health training. AFSC used the rebuilding of schools as a way to not only address the immediate needs of communities that had lost their schools, but also to create a pilot project in developing a sister-school relationship between one of the rebuilt schools and a Friends school in the United States. This process has, so far, resulted in a visit by a teacher and several students from the Friends school to El Salvador to talk with the community about next steps in strengthening the relationships. AFSC has set aside a modest amount of funds to continue encouraging this process.
AFSC's focus on mental health has also borne fruit in terms of impact beyond just addressing material needs. AFSC developed a relationship with Capacitar, an organization known for its innovative techniques in helping to heal people suffering from trauma and stress and with a long-term commitment to developing attention to mental health in El Salvador and the region, by supporting the training community mental health leaders in regions affected by the earthquakes. This program helped communities attend those suffering from the effects of the trauma caused by the earthquakes, many times exacerbated by the lingering effects of the trauma of the civil war. At the same time, this program helped strengthen Capacitar's contacts and range of action at the national and regional level, helping to elevate the potential for more visible and sustained work on mental health in El Salvador and the other Central American countries. The relationship with Capacitar has also been important for AFSC's work in Colombia, where AFSC staff is coordinating with Capacitar to take the trainings to people affected by the civil war in that country in an effort to create a network of mental health trainers.
Organizational Structure and Partners. As the above discussion should make clear, AFSC relies heavily on relationships with local organizations.
Earmarking of Funds. Donors can now earmark their donations for South Asia earthquake-tsunamis relief through this organization’s website.
More Information. AFSC’s website address is http://www.afsc.org/tsunami/default.htm. Download 2002 Form 990
Date. Entry written January 10, 2005.
AMERICAN JEWISH WORLD SERVICE. AJWS was founded in 1985 to help alleviate poverty, hunger, and disease. The organization makes grants to local organizations to fund economic development, education, healthcare, and sustainable agriculture.
Tsunami Funding. We found no information on the AJWS website that describes how much AJWS is trying to raise or how much has been raised to date.
Aid Provided. Within the first 36 hours after the disaster, AJWS began supplying food, water storage containers, cooking supplies, blankets, temporary shelters, bedding, and school supplies through its local grassroots partners. AJWS also partnered with Direct Relief International to provide immediate shipments of basic medical supplies, water purification materials and oral rehydration therapies to a consortium of local community-based groups in India and Sri Lanka, and with Church World Service and International Rescue Committee to provide emergency relief in Indonesia.
Basic Approach. After the immediate needs are met, AJWS will continue to support long-time partners in the region and will acquire new ones to provide rehabilitation and reconstruction on a long-term basis. This aid includes trauma counseling for children and surviving parents and family members. AJWS is already replacing boats and fishing equipment, and will be providing income generating programs and job-skills training to assist the redevelopment of fishing communities.
AJWS’ relief work aims to stimulate local efforts to foster community mobilization and disaster preparedness. It will be assisting with the rebuilding of infrastructure and providing support for communities to share needs, resources and challenges to rebuild their communities and their lives. Through the AJWS Volunteer Corps, some skilled professional volunteers are being strategically placed to assist with rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Organizational Structure and Partners. AJWS works with partner organizations in 33 countries. It currently has 197 grassroots projects. AWJS is active in the Americas, Africa, Russian/Ukraine, and Asia.
Earmarking of Funds. This organization now permits donors to earmark funds for Tsunami Relief. But as we read the designation, AWJS appears as if it will take 5% of each donation to cover its general overhead. Specifically, the earmarking form contains the following statement: “Ninety-five percent of all emergency funds go directly to supporting relief efforts.” By the way, we believe this is perfectly appropriate since organizations do have basic administrative costs. All donors should bear some share of these costs.
More Information. American Jewish World Service's website address is http://www.ajws.org. Download 2003 Form 990
Date. Entry written January 10, 2005.
AMERICAN RED CROSS: The American Red Cross is receiving the lion’s share of the American public’s donations in response to this disaster, as is the case with most disasters.
Tsunami Funding. From December 26, 2004, through January 6, 2005, more than $139.2 million was received by the Red Cross. Of that $139.2 million in pledged donations, approximately $83.4 million had been received in hand. Approximately half of the donations have come through the www.redcross.org online donation site.
Aid Provided. The American Red Cross sent an initial $30 million in aid to the affected areas, including $25 million for relief food supplies and $5 million non-food relief items, such as hygiene kits and tents for displaced families. Sixteen American Red Cross workers are currently in four affected countries with expertise to support relief efforts including distribution of relief supplies, logistics, tracing and family reunification and psychosocial services.
Basic Approach. The American Red Cross created the International Disaster Response Unit as part of efforts to modernize its international relief efforts when disaster strikes. Upon notice of a disaster, the American Red Cross immediately contacts its sister Red Cross society in the affected country or countries. In an effort to provide meaningful aid, the American Red Cross sends experts in logistics and procurement, telecommunication, disaster operations, family linking, public health and media relations to work with the local Red Cross society. These individuals then work with the local society with the assessment and implementation of relief services, which will include procurement of food, water, shelter, and hygiene items
Organizational Structure and Partners. The American Red Cross is just one of 181 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies operating throughout the world under the Red Cross banner and as part of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Founded in 1919, the International Federation is a coalition of individual Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies that coordinate relief efforts throughout the world occurring outside the theater of war and other forms of armed conflict.
Earmarking of Funds. Donors can now earmark their donations for South Asia earthquake-tsunamis relief through this organization’s website.
More Information. American Red Cross’ website address is http://www.americanredcross.org. Download 2003 Form 990
Date. Entry written January 7, 2005.
CARE USA. CARE is one of the world's largest private international humanitarian organizations, committed to helping families in poor communities. Founded in 1945 to provide relief to survivors of World War II, CARE quickly became a trusted vehicle for the compassion and generosity of millions. CARE works with poor communities in more than 70 countries around the world.
Tsunami Funding. CARE USA's funding goal for South Asia earthquake-tsunamis relief is $50 million for earthquake and tsunami relief and rehabilitation efforts over a five-year period. As of Friday, January 7, CARE USA had raised $16.8 million in private funds for its Asia Earthquake and Tsunami Relief and Rehabilitation Fund from individuals, foundations and corporations. The funds will be used for immediate relief and long-term rehabilitation. This figure includes $6.4M raised online.
Aid Provided. In the four Indian districts of Chennai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam and Kanyakumari of Tamil Nadu State, CARE is providing temporary shelter and distributing family survival packages — blankets, cooking utensils, tarpaulins, sleeping mats, soap and clothing — to 60,000 people. CARE also is providing bleaching powder to purify water, oral rehydration solution to stop any epidemics, and will begin the cleaning and repair of water wells (over 1,500 wells were contaminated with salt water). CARE's staff is also providing psychosocial counselling, specifically for women and children.
In Indonesia, CARE is distributing food and water purification kits via helicopter and trucks in Banda Aceh and the remote regions of Aceh, including Singkil, Banda Aceh and five sub-districts of Aceh Jaya. CARE teams also are distributing relief supplies on the island of Simeulue.
In Sri Lanka, CARE is distributing emergency food and sanitation kits to over 80,000 people in Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Hambantota, Mullaitivu, Ampara, and Jaffna. CARE also is providing materials for temporary shelter construction and will begin construction of pit latrines and distribute textbooks, uniforms, bags, drinking bottles and other items to facilitate affected children’s return to school (schools reopened on Jan. 10).
Working in Phang Nga, Thailand, the hardest-hit district, and in Krabi, Ranong and Trang, CARE is distributing and providing local partners with basic medicine, first aid kits, oral rehydration salts, safe water, clothing, bedding materials, other essential items and psychosocial support to affected populations, particularly migrant workers in the fishing industry along the coast.
In Somalia, CARE is currently distributing food in southern regions and supplementing World Food Program activities in the northern regions with cash relief, supporting up to 33,000 affected people (11,000 households).
Basic Approach. Care designs and manage community-based projects in areas such as education, health care and economic development. These projects aim to strengthen poor communities with information, skills and resources. Together, CARE and communities build a foundation for self-sufficiency and lasting solutions to problems caused by poverty. Within each of its program sectors such as education and health, CARE operates community-based projects that work with individuals and families. 73 countries worldwide, CARE projects are providing an array of emergency relief, post-disaster rehabilitation and lasting solutions to communities' most threatening problems. The numbr of projects is pretty amazing, and to get a sense of the breadth of activity, we recommend you spend a few minutes reviewing an online project datebase at: http://www.careusa.org/careswork/searchwork.asp.
Organizational Structure and Partners. CARE relies on a vast array of partners in its mission CARE cultivates dynamic and innovative collaboration with corporations that share its vision. Through a variety of unique and mutually beneficial programs, its corporate partners support our work financially as well as with donations of time, technical skills and other resources. CARE also collaborates with government agencies and other humanitarian organizations around the world. Operating on the local, national and international level, these organizations provide CARE with cash and in-kind donations, expertise, shared resources and other forms of support.
Earmarking of Funds. Donors can now earmark their donations for South Asia earthquake-tsunamis relief through this organization’s website.
More Information. CARE USA’s website address is http://www.careusa.org. Download 2004 Fiscal Year 990
Date. Entry written January 11, 2005.
CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES: CRS is the official international relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community. For more than 60 years, it has served the poorest and most vulnerable in South and Southeast Asia. It provides services in 94 countries, focusing on HIV/AIDS. Health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.
Tsunami Funding. On December 30, 2004, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) announced that it was committing $25 million to emergency relief and long-term rehabilitation programs to assist people across the south and southeast Asia region. An article in the January 10, 2005 edition of the Christan Science Monitor reports that CRS had raised $14 million toward its goal.
Aid Provided. In Indonesia, CRS sent a rapid response team to Banda Aceh. It is working with Save the Children, Jesuit Refugee Services and other partners to distribute 755 emergency family kits, which include kitchen and hygiene items, blankets, sleeping mats, water storage cans and plastic sheeting for 4,000 people in Aceh.. On the west coast of Sumatra, CRS is working with local partner Volunteers for Humanitarian Activities, which expects to have 175 volunteers on the ground within the week to provide medical care, food and basic survival.
Before the disaster CRS had no operational presence in Sri Lanka, but did have a network of partners with local Church and Caritas agencies. Immediately after the tsunami, CRS staff traveled to Sri Lanka and began supporting its partners. Within hours, CRS contributed $100,000 in relief to affected areas. Caritas partners have provided cooked food and dry rations, non-food items and mobile medical assistance to those in affected areas. CRS committed $1 million to purchase and distribute soap, jerry cans, kitchen sets, bed sheets and sarongs.
With their partner Caritas India, CRS is supporting 11 diocesan organizations to manage 93 relief camps in India that shelter more than 125,000 people. Displaced families have received cooked food three times a day, clothing, clean water and medical assistance, as required. In remote areas CRS has provided resources so that its partners can distribute dry food rations, medicine and water purification tablets. CRS envisions an initial commitment of $12.8 (or roughly of its stated $25 million tsunami relief budget) million in India over an 18-month period to provide immediate relief and rehabilitation support in the way of shelter, access to clear water, health care and livelihoods to more than 150,000 people affected by the tsunami.
In Thailand, CRS contributed an initial $25,000 to its partner organizations within the Catholic Bishops Conference of Thailand for their initial emergency relief response. CRS is focusing on aiding fisherman who were devastated by the disaster.
Basic Approach. Catholic Relief Services appears to rely heavily on partner organizations that are already on the ground in affected locations. Its focus appears to be on immediate relief, with an emphasis on providing supplies to meet basic needs of victims. However, it also appears that it will have a long-term focus on rebuilding basic infrastructure.Organizational Structure and Partners. As noted above, CRS relies heavily on local partner organizations. One of its primary missions is to strengthen the capacity of these organizations.
Earmarking of Funds. Donors can now earmark their donations for South Asia earthquake-tsunamis relief through this organization’s website.
More Information. Catholic Relief Services' website is http://www.catholicrelief.org. Download 2003 Annual Report
Date. Entry written January 11, 2005.
DIRECT RELIEF INTERNATIONAL. In existence since 1948, Direct Relief International serves as a recipient of in-kind corporate donations. When you hear that one of the large pharmaceutical companies has made a donation of drugs and other medical products, Direct Relief is likely one of the organizations coordinating the packaging, transport, and distribution of those products. This is a very specific, but important function. Imagine if each large corporation had to decide where to send its in-kind donations.
Tsunami Funding. As of midnight January 3, Direct Relief had received $3.1 million in designated cash contributions and pledges for the tsunami relief efforts. These contributions for the tsunami relief are restricted in a separate bank account and will be used only to cover expenses directly related to activities in the affected areas. Direct Relief also had received medical product donations designated for the relief effort with a wholesale value of $33.7 million.
Aid Provided. As of January 4, 2004, Direct Relief had furnished more than twenty tons of specifically requested medicines, supplies, equipment through seven separate shipments to India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia. The wholesale value of materials included in these shipments is $3,085,857.
To get some sense of the cost of one transport to the affected area, consider the donation by Federal Express of air freight and trucking services for one, seven ton shipment. Direct Relief estimates the value of that donation of services to be valued at $25,000. Direct Relief paid over $23,000 for another four emergency air cargo shipments.
Basic Approach. Direct Relief International has developed relationships with major pharmaceutical companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Merck, and Abbott Laboratories, among many others. Based on an assessment of needs, Direct Relief requests specific supplies, and the large companies fulfill the requests by sending the products to Direct Relief’s warehouse in California. When not in disaster mode, Direct Relief transports products by ocean-going vessel. In an emergency, Direct Relief shifts to air transport. Interesting, Direct Relief is a licensed pharmacy, permitting them to handle prescription drugs.
Organizational Structure and Partners. With the exception of Bolivia, where Direct Relief runs its own clinic, its distribution is through indigenous partners. It has five program officers who work to identify local partners in each of the countries served, making sure that these people are trained and qualified to provide the medical services. In a sense, Direct Relief serves as a procurement agent for local medical groups in developing countries.
Earmarking of Funds. Donors can now earmark their donations for South Asia earthquake-tsunamis relief through this organization’s website.
More Information. Direct Relief’s website is http://www.directrelief.org. Download 2003 Form 990
Date. Entry written January 7, 2005.
DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS/ MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES. Founded n 1971, Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is a French-based organization (with an affiliated organization in the United States) that specialized in the provision of medical care, particularly in diaster and war zones.
Tsunami Funding. Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières received what it terms "an extraordinary outpouring of support for the people of South Asia." We believe that MSF raised over $20 million in earmarked funds. Because this amount meant its current budgeted needs for South Asia earthquake-tsunamis relief, MSF is no longer accepting contributions earmarked for such relief. Nevertheless, donors can still contribute to MSF's general emergency fund.
Aid Provided. MSF sent more than 150 international aid workers and 400 tons of relief materials to provide assistance to people affected by the earthquake and resulting tsunami in South Asia. MSF is focusing aid operations on Indonesia and Sri Lanka, but is continuing to assess the humanitarian needs in the region. Additional aid workers and relief cargo will be deployed as needed.
Since an MSF emergency team arrived in Aceh, Indonesia, on December 28 with six tons of aid supplies, more than 60 MSF international aid workers and 120 tons of relief, food, and medical materials have been airlifted to the area. Currently, MSF is working in five main locations (the provincial capital Banda Aceh, Meulaboh, Medan, Lamno, and Lampe-Ngo) to assist roughly 100,000 people. On January 8, an MSF medical team conducted 105 consultations in an elementary school in Aceh Besar, where 369 displaced people are living in classrooms and in a tent. The team transferred six people to the hospital for treatment of infected wounds. A psychologist with the team conducted five individual counseling sessions for people suffering from severe psychological trauma.
In Sigli, MSF is preparing a measles-vaccination campaign for 25,000 children between the ages of 6 months and 15 years old. A team of Indonesian health workers has taken over responsibility of the Sigli General District Hospital from an MSF team. The MSF team is now focusing on conducting mobile clinics and vaccinations for the 11,000 displaced people living in the three sites. There are an estimated 50,000 displaced people living in and around Sigli.
Further east from Sigli, in the General District Hospital of Bireuen, MSF has donated medicines and infusion materials and has set up a medical supply link with the MSF team in Sigli. Between the two hospitals, there are approximately 400 patients with about 50 arriving daily.
In Banda Aceh, an MSF mobile clinic is performing medical consultations in Leumpung camp, where 6,000 people have settled. The team is also providing psychosocial support.
An MSF water-and-sanitation team installed an emergency water supply system for the patients in Fakinah hospital. Over two days, the mobile clinic in Banda Aceh performed 140 medical consultations, mostly respiratory tract infections and woundsin Pesantren Babul Maghfirah, an Islamic school in the Cot Keung district. The school normally houses about 30 students, but now is a temporary home for more than 1,850 displaced people from surrounding areas.
In Lam Asar Siem, in the Darussalam district of eastern Banda Aceh, one of MSF's mobile medical teams performed 98 consultations on January 6. Around 200 local people and 100 displaced persons from other areas are crammed together in this area. The most common pathologies treated are wounds, respiratory tract infections, and skin diseases, while many people are also suffering from serious mental trauma.
The mobile teams continue to run aid operations in the villages of Lamno and Lampe-Ngo on the western coast of Aceh. On January 4, MSF delivered more than 600 pounds of rice, 100 tarpaulins, and dropped off a water-and-sanitation specialist. An estimated 11,000 people are living in six displaced-persons camps in Lamno. In Lampe-Ngo there an estimated 3,000 displaced people who have been forced to dry and eat rice that had been submerged by salt water during the tsunami. Local people told the MSF team that around 80 percent of the village's population remains unaccounted for.
In Meulaboh, on the west coast, a team visited an 80-bed hospital, where a surgeon was working without a nurse to treat some 200 people with wounds. An MSF surgical team is now operating in the hospital, and seven MSF nurses are also supporting the hospital.
MSF is working with the Greenpeace ship "Rainbow Warrior" and its crew of 19 to transport equipment, food, fuel, medical supplies, and MSF medical staff to Meulaboh.
MSF has more than 40 aid workers, including doctors, surgeons, nurses, and logisticians, on the ground in Sri Lanka. They are trying to coordinate their efforts with the already strong response from local authorities and communities.
Charter planes with more than 200 tons of aid supplies have arrived in the capital Colombo. In addition to relief materials, the cargo contains the equipment and supplies to set up hospitals to care for 40,000 people for a period of three months.
MSF is supporting a network of 13 mobile clinics attending to the displaced and affected populations on Sri Lanka's east coast in Kalmunai South, Kalmunai North, Saintharmaruthu, Karaitivu, Ninthavur, Alayadiyempu, Thirakkovil, and Portuvvil. Each is providing an average of 150 medical consultations per day. MSF is also supporting the epidemiological surveillance system to ensure a rapid response to any disease outbreaks.
MSF is also planning to set up field hospitals in Sainthamaruthu and Nintavur, and two outpatient departments in Maruthammani and Komari. In Pottuvil, Thirukovil and Akkaraipatu. MSF will supply some essential matierals like beds and stretchers to local hospitals. MSF is also supplying essential medicines and basic medical material to health centers and mobile clinics in the area. MSF teams will distribute shelter materials like tents, mosquito nets, water-purification tablets, and jerry cans to 6,000 families, roughly 24,000 people, living in 125 settlements in and around Ampara.
MSF started providing its first medical consultations in Kucchevali, near Trincomalee, where more than 3,000 displaced people have settled. The MSF team spent three days cleaning up a hospital there that had been damaged during the tsunami, and plans to open an outpatient department in the hospital. MSF is distributing water and shelter materials, including 600 tents, to displaced people in Kucchevali. Further north in Tiriyai, MSF is also providing water and shelter support. MSF has established an outpatient clinic in Tangalla on the southern coast and set up shelters for 10 families in the area. In Matara, the MSF team is assisting 3,200 displaced people. Mobile teams will provide assistance to displaced people in the area. An outpatient clinic has also been opened in nearby Hambantoa. MSF is also trying to establish a network of local doctors to provide psychosocial support to people traumatized by the disaster.
After conducting assessments in southeastern India in Chennai and Nagapattinam, MSF is focusing its operations on psychological support for the victims.
Basic Approach. MSF delivers emergency aid to victims of armed conflict, epidemics, and natural and man-made disasters, and to others who lack health care due to social or geographical isolation.
It is at the forefront of emergency health care as well as care for populations suffering from endemic diseases and neglect. MSF provides primary health care, performs surgery, rehabilitates hospitals and clinics, runs nutrition and sanitation programs, trains local medical personnel, and provides mental health care. Through longer-term programs, MSF treats chronic diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, sleeping sickness, and AIDS; assists with the medical and psychological problems of marginalized populations including street children and ethnic minorities; and brings health care to remote, isolated areas where resources and training are limited.
MSF unites direct medical care with a commitment to bearing witness and speaking out against the underlying causes of suffering. Its volunteers protest violations of humanitarian law on behalf of populations who have no voice, and bring the concerns of their patients to public forums, such as the United Nations, governments (in both home and project countries), and the media. In a wide range of circumstances, MSF volunteers have spoken out about forgotten conflicts and underreported atrocities they have witnessed—from Chechnya to Angola, and from Kosovo to Sri Lanka.
At the onset of emergencies, teams arrive at a project site with prepackaged medical kits so they can begin working immediately. Custom-designed by MSF for specific field situations, geographic conditions, and climates, a kit may contain a complete surgical theater, for example, or all the supplies needed to treat hundreds of cholera patients. MSF kits have been replicated by relief organizations worldwide. MSF may start a project when it identifies the existence of a humanitarian crisis, or when it has been invited by the national government or a UN agency to establish a project. In either case, an exploratory team of experienced MSF personnel visits the site and evaluates the medical, nutritional, and sanitary needs, the political environment, the security situation, transportation facilities, and local capabilities. This team reports its findings and recommendations to the Operations Department in one of the five operational offices. The Operations Department then makes the final decision to intervene and determines the medical priorities, the composition of the team, and the materials needed.
Organizational Structure and Partners. MSF is an international network with sections in 18 countries. Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer doctors, nurses, other medical professionals, logistics experts, water/sanitation engineers, and administrators join 15,000 locally hired staff to provide medical aid in more than 80 countries. MSF has built a strong logistical capability to support its medical expertise, enabling its volunteers to work in the most remote or unstable parts of the world.
Earmarking of Funds. Doctors Without Borders is no longer accepting funds earmarked specifically for South Asia earthquake-tsunamis relief because it has raised the amount funds that it believes it needs for the time being. If circumstances change, Doctors Without Borders may once again permit donors to earmark funds for South Asia earthquake-tsunamis relief. Just to be clear, Doctors Without Borders is still accepting contributions for its other programs, including its general emergency relief fund,.
More Information. Doctors Without Borders website is http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org. Download 2003 Form 990
Date. Entry written January 11, 2005.
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS. Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps (IMC) is a global humanitarian organization focusing its efforts on health care training and relief and development programs.
Tsunami Funding. No information provided on the website.
Aid Provided. A team of 25 trauma-specialist physicians and nurses with International Medical Corps (IMC) was airlifted to Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
(IMC has also partnered with VeAhavta, an all-volunteer organization providing charitable assistance in Sri Lanka’s war-torn northern and eastern regions, to help solve the immediate problem of access to health care for tsunami-affected communities, as well as address the longer-term issue of rebuilding the area’s health care capacity. VeAhavta, with help from two former IMC volunteer physicians, has been providing health services to orphans, widows and internally displaced people in Trincomalee and outlying villages since 2002. But its fixed clinic was destroyed in the tsunami, and the case load for its mobile clinic has since grown exponentially. IMC will operate additional mobile health clinics, provide clean drinking water, distribute hygiene and sanitation kits, repair the clinic in Trincomalee and train local health workers.
Basic Approach. International Medical Corps mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in areas worldwide where few organizations dare to serve. By offering training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people at highest risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency situations, IMC rehabilitates devastated health care systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance. In the aftermath of violent conflicts and natural disasters, IMC provides emergency interventions for vulnerable populations and makes lasting improvements to devastated health care systems.
IMC not only cares for people in need, but also provides training to local health care workers so that they can serve their communities on a sustainable basis. IMC recruits local doctors, nurses and other health care workers, then trains them through a combination of classes, seminars, individual mentoring and hands-on training. Even in the emergency phase, local populations are active in identifying those in need of treatment, referring them to clinics and hospitals, and administering care alongside IMC staff and volunteers.
IMC recently began incorporating programs that build skills central to improving livelihoods, now running micro-credit and agriculture development programs in several countries
IMC's relies on an international network of more than 6,000 doctors, nurses and other professionals to provide maternal and child health care, reconstructive and rehabilitative surgery, emergency relief and disaster response, HIV/AIDS and opportunistic infection treatment and prevention, family medicine, and a number of health-related services.
IMC works to build the capacity of local and national institutions. At the local level, IMC partners with community-based organizations, providing them with technical assistance and training to position them to monitor and improve community health. IMC also encourages community-based initiatives and participatory processes, which ultimately increase responsibility for health service delivery at the local level.
At the national level, IMC works to build the capacity of the health sector by providing training directly to Ministry of Health employees, as well as technical assistance and support to the policy process.
Organizational Structure and Partners. As described above IMC relies on a 6,000 member network of international health care professionals, local partnerships, and relations with the ministries of health in a number of countries. Unlike some relief organizations, IMC appears to be actively involved in bringing US and other professional personnel to disaster areas.
Earmarking of Funds. Donors can now earmark their donations for South Asia earthquake-tsunamis relief through this organization’s website.
More Information. International Relief Corps website is http://www.imcworldwide.org. Download 2003 Form 990
Date. Entry written January 11, 2005.
MERCY CORPS. In existence since 1979, Mercy Corps is a United States and Scottish-based relief organization that (i) provides emergency relief, (ii) develops sustainable communities in developing countries by focusing on agriculture, economic develop, and health, as well as efforts strengthen local organizations, and (iii) promotes civil society through non-conflict management.
Tsunami Funding. We are unable to ascertain what Mercy Corps has collected so far for tsunami relief, but as of January 4, 2005, Mercy Corps had spent over $1 million on disaster relief (keep in mind that this is relatively early in the process).
Aid Provided. Mercy Corps is on the ground in Indonesia, India, and Sir Lanka. According to a January 4, 2004 press release, Mercy Corps had 24 staff members in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, with more to follow. They distributed water purification tablets, plastic sheeting for temporary shelter, cooking supplies, hygiene and sanitation supplies, blankets, and clothing. The UN World Food Program chose Mercy Corps to distribute its food aid in the region, which includes 70 metric tons of rice and protein biscuits. Mercy Corps also sent two 28-meter boat loads of supplies out of Jakarta and Padang, headed for Meulaboh, a village on the west coast of Sumatra that was 80% destroyed. These boats will stop at islands that have not received any external aid to date. In addition, Mercy Corps’ Indonesia Country Director and staff flew a plane loaded with more supplies to Meulaboh, which is serving as a distribution center for aid to remote villages and islands.
In Sri Lanka, Mercy Corps is focused on counseling and helping the local population rebuild the fishing industry. One concern in Sri Lanka is suicides by survivors. In India, Mercy Corps has partnered with Disaster Management Institute (DMI), a local NGO, to respond to devastation in Tamil Nadu. The focus is on providing emergency shelter, supplementary food items and household supplies. Mercy Corps will be working DMI and other local organizations to build local organizational capacity to meet longer-term needs.
Basic Approach. Mercy Corps appears to use a variety of techniques to provide aid, focusing on both short-term immediate needs like food, water and shelter, and longer-term needs like economic rebuilding. However, its website doesn’t detail the organization’s infrastructure for providing relief. On its home page, Mercy Corps claims that “[e]very dollar you give helps us secure $16.51 in donated food and other supplies.” While we have little doubt that this is true, there is no explanation of how this conversion takes place.
Organization Structure and Partners. Like many of the other relief organizations, Mercy Corps partners with local organizations in developing nations. It currently has partners in Africa, South and Central America, Central Asia, the Balkans, the Middle East, and Central, East and South Asia, and the United States.
Earmarking of Funds. Donors can now earmark their donations for South Asia earthquake-tsunamis relief through this organization’s website.
More Information. Mercy Corps website is http://www.mercycorps.org. Download 2003 Form 990
Date. Entry written January 7, 2005.
SAVE THE CHILDREN.
Tsunami Funding. As of January 6, 2005, Save the Children had raised over $22.28 million.
Aid Provided. Save the Children is active in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Thailand. As a relief organization focused on children, Save the Children is focused on identifying unaccompanied children. It is sending trained child protection officers to camps for internally displaced persons. In Banda Aceh, it is leading the training of UNCIEF Crisis Center personnel, the first 40 of whom are in Aceh, Indonesia. In Sri Lanka, Save the Children is registering unaccompanied and separated children, with 1,100 children having been identified as unaccompanied by an adult, separated from family members, or as children with one parent. Its website is not as specific about its specific activities in the other named countries as far as child protection activities are concerned. However, Save the Children has apparently determined that the tsunamis caused minimal damage in Bangladesh and Myanmar. In India, Save the Children/United Kingdom is spearheading the organization’s ongoing efforts there with financial and technical support. In Thailand, Save the Children is supporting the work of the local Red Crescent Society, but the government’s own response may make a response from Save the Children unnecessary.
Save the Children is also providing immediate supplies and foodstuffs. In Indonesia, a 12-truck convoy from Jakarta with approximately 80 tons of materials, including basic health kits, children’s food, immediate relief and medical supplies and household kits, is scheduled to arrive on Monday in Banda Aceh. Save the Children delivered 16.5 tons of basic survival items to Indonesia this past Sunday. These materials included 27.500 “household kits” for homeless families, with kits including hygiene items, cooking utensils, a small cooking stove, blankets, sleeping mats and mosquito repellent. Eleven tons of materials were delivered to Banda Aceh last week, including milk, dried fish, fresh fruit and fortified biscuits, as well as supplies for ongoing medical interventions. In addition to mobilizing volunteer doctors and nurses from other regions of Indonesia to staff medical clinics, Save the Children is training midwives and health volunteers in emergency health care and treatment and assessment of infectious diseases that can be fatal to children. Trained midwives and volunteers will fan out into communities to provide care to children and mothers.
In Sri Lanka, Save the Children/United Kingdom has distributed dry rations to 10,000 to families in Kilinochchi and Mulativu, and to an additional 2,000 families in Batticoloa. Save the Children is providing funding and technical assistance to Save the Children/United Kingdom, which is conducting relief in coastal communities. In addition to distributing ready-to-eat food to children in an orphanage, food and non-food items such as soap and hygiene items continue to be delivered to homeless families in two districts. Some 11,000 families also are being targeted for larger-scale distribution of supplies, including materials for temporary shelters. One of the critical missions in Sri Lanka is safeguarding children from the many landmines.
Basic Approach. Save the Children brings considerable child protection expertise to the overall relief efforts. Nevertheless, like many other relief organizations, it also is providing victims with basic medical, food and hygiene supplies.
Organization and Structure. Save the Children is working closely with Save the Children/United Kingdom and the local Red Crescent Society. Its website indicates that it is also working closely with local medical personnel.
Earmarking of Funds. Donors can now earmark their donations for South Asia earthquake-tsunamis relief through this organization’s website.
More Information. Save the Children’s website is http://www.savethechildren.org.
Download 2003 Form 990Date. Entry written January 10, 2005.
WORLD VISION. World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. It has more than 22,000 staff in nearly 100 countries, including 5,000 to 8,000 permanent staff in Asia. It was founded in 1950.
Tsunami Funding. World Vision wants to raise $50 million for South Asia earthquake-tsunami relief. It raised $20 million through a telethon in Australia.
Aid Provided. World Vision is establishing centers across the region, as part of its relief effort. For example, in Indonesia, World Vision is setting up 20 children centers that will include special tents next to temporary shelters where traumatized children will receive psychological support. World Vision has begun airlifting relief supplies from its warehouses in Europe, the Middle East and North America.
In Thailand, World Vision is distributing rice, dry food, blankets, school supplies and kitchen utensils to families in Phangnga, Ranong and Krabi Districts. In addition, World Vision also will help build temporary housing, reconstruct school buildings and assemble clean water tanks and latrines.
World Vision has also delivered medicine, including anti-malarials, antibiotics for treatment of diarrhea and cholera, vitamin A supplements, syringes, bandages, hydrogen peroxide, oral rehydration fluids, and vaccines for measles and polio.
In India, World Vision has distributed food, clothing and blankets, despite a recent warning of another possible tsunami. In Chennai, World Vision also has provided bleaching powder and cleaning liquid to help improve sanitation conditions. North, in Cuddalore, World Vision distributed clothing packets to 1,039 families. They include men’s and women’s clothing, towels, blankets, and bed sheets. They've also provided dry rations, cooked food, and bottled water and plan a distribution of kerosene cook stoves as well.
Basic Approach. This organization website lacks information about the organization and what it does on an ongoing basis. The site does contain a directory of specialists that World Vision employs, but it is difficult to determine how each of these specialists fit into a bigger picture. The website does contain a lot of information about sponsoring a child.
Organizational Structure and Partners. Unclear.
Earmarking of Funds. World Vision’s website permits donors to earmark their donation to South Asia earthquake-tsunami relief, but provides the following disclaimer:
In cases where donations exceed what is needed, or where local conditions prevent program implementation, World Vision will redirect funds to similar activities to help needy children and families.
More Information. World Vision's website is http://www.worldvision.org. Download 2002 Form 990
Date. Entry written January 11, 2005.
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