NSR: Tsunami Fund NGOs

sorry to spam, but in light of what happened recently i think this is appropriate. flame me if you disagree. basically, we are all pretty lucky folks to be able to spend time pursuing skiing and the other outdoor interests we enjoy. let's face it, it takes a certain socioeconomic and ethnic standing to be blessed with the lives we all lead. OK, damn it, what I am trying to say is, we are predominantly a bunch of white folks who are lucky and will most likely never have to face the type of widespread destruction, death, famine and disease as those impacted by the recent tsunami.

dig deep and give what you can. i think this email below from a friend of mine is the best route to take: donate directly to NGOs established in that particular country that can do the most good in the shortest amount of time.

again, sorry for the spam, but i felt this was worth posting because i know the generosity and compassion in this community can play a small part in helping those less fortunate than us.

::

Hi ya'll,

As some of you know, I worked in development in Indonesia years ago. I
still have strong
ties to S.E. Asia and S. Asia, and as you may guess, the tsunamis have
been devastating for
many friends and former colleagues.

If you'd like to help and have been wondering how or whether your
dollars would make a
difference, I'd like to offer a direct route for your gifts and also
make an appeal for
sending them to Sri Lanka because:
1) if you look at death rate as a percentage of population, Sri Lanka
has been hardest hit
and
2) in the wake of years of civil war, the country is least
well-equipped to recover and
3) due to the civil war, the politicization of aid is a real issue and
4) $1 = about 3 meals of rice.

So, the direct route involves donating locally: to local NGOs (non-governmental
organizations/non-profits) as opposed to (or in addition to)
international relief agencies.
The world of international development is highly bureaucratic and
while international aid
organizations will do lots of good work, it will take time. Donating
locally will put much-
needed funds directly in hands that can put them to good use more readily.

Two options for local donations to Sri Lanka (tax deductible options exist):
1) AFLAC: http://www.aflacinternational.com/index.html
2) Sarvodaya is distinguished by its ability to distribute aid into
Tamil areas controlled by
the Tamil Tigers. http://www.sarvodaya.org

For more information, please read the letter that follows from my
friend, Paul Khoo, who
grew up in Thailand and now lives in Singapore, and from his friend
and former colleague,
Rashid Moosajee, of Sri Lanka. You can always give me a shout, too.

Many thanks,
Ashley