Helping From Home: Residents Step Up In Southeast Asia Tsunami Relief Effort

Matthew Hersh

The Indian Ocean tsunami that struck parts of Southeast Asia on December 26 has not only caused an unprecedented level of destruction to one of the poorest parts of the world, but has also spurred grassroots fund-raising efforts rarely seen for international crises.

To date, what is being called the worst natural disaster in years has left an estimated 150,000 dead and millions more homeless.

And while the U.S. goverment has pledged $350 million to relief efforts, reaction to the disaster has resulted in what some local organizers have called an "overwhelming outpouring" of local support – support that translates to a major contribution when added up on the national level.

"The concern is only comparable to, in my history, 9/11," said Kevin Sullivan, CEO of the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey, a chapter that covers Mercer, Middlesex and Hunterdon counties, and parts of Somerset County.

So far, the chapter has already received $40,000 and more money is anticipated as several local organizations have fund-raisers in the works, Mr. Sullivan said. Those efforts include a chant/spiritual concert this Friday at Princeton University's Dillon Gymnasium, where a portion of the proceeds will be contributed to the Red Cross' central Jersey chapter for tsunami relief aid.

Mr. Sullivan asserted that his organization is trying to "support the community's willingness to respond to this disaster," adding that he expected a rise in local money for the relief effort, specifically referring to Princeton University, which is currently planning a number of fund-raising events.

Princeton Tsunami Relief, a collaborative effort by University students to raise funds for aid in Southeast Asia, is currently collecting donations daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the 100 level of the Frist Campus Center and at the residential college dining halls and at the eating clubs.

Additionally, the student organization will offer information on the disaster, lectures, and other performances at Frist this Saturday. Donations will benefit the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and CARE USA, which are providing food, water-purification and medical supplies, shelter materials, and other emergency supplies to the affected areas. CARE USA has provided aid in some of the hardest hit locales, while the IRC has airlifted more than 40 tons of water-storage tanks to victims.

The University fund-raising effort is sponsored by the South Asian Students Association, Global Issues Forum, Undergraduate Student Government, Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students, International Center, Inter-Club Council, Outdoor Action, Student Volunteers Council, Princeton UNICEF, and Princeton Humanity Project.

Mr. Sullivan also mentioned that school-age children are getting involved in the fund-raising process, wishing to donate what they can to help victims half a world away. A scenario that has become more and more common in the last week is that of children wanting to help after seeing images of the devastation on television.

"A Princeton girl came in with her piggy bank. She had heard about what was going on and was moved to, on her own, bring in her piggy bank and empty the contents out to help the children affected by this disaster."

All organizations are seeking monetary donations in lieu of food, clothing, or other goods. For more information or to donate to the above organizations, visit www.njredcross .org, www.careusa.org, www.theirc.org, and www. unicef.org. For more information on the University's Princeton Tsunami Relief, write ahazari@princeton.edu.