fifty-two thousand and counting

Published on December 28, 2004 By dharmagrl In Current Events

Fifty-two thousand is the death toll in Asia this afternoon, and according to sources it's only going to get bigger.

Can you imagine? That's the size of the entire town I live close to. All those lives, all those people...gone. Those were all someone's family or someone's friend....it's mind-boggling the far-reaching effects this is having and will continue to have.

Even those who weren't killed outright by the tsunami are in danger of dying now. There's no clean drinking water, for one. The risk of disease is high, especially considering there are putrifying bodies lying in the streets. A lot of people have been left destitute. They've lost everything they own...homes, possesions, jobs, families...they have nothing, literally nothing but the clothes they stand up in.

I simply cannot imagine such devastation. I feel so helpless. I feel like I should be doing something tangible to help. But what? I can't afford to donate any money; things have been tighter than usual around here financially. I can give some clothes and some toiletries, some blankets and some shoes....but who do I give it to? The charities involved in rescue efforts all want money...the one thing I simply can't give right now.

I can't be the only person in this situation. There must be more people like me, who want to help, and who can help, just not monetarily.

Anyone have any idea how? Who do I contact? Where do I give?

Comments

Manopeace

on Dec 28, 2004

Maybe try one of these numbers to find out...I'm sure various funds will be directed to local organizations in the States, but I personally would rather send something direct to the source.

(CNN) -- If you are looking for information on relatives or friends in the areas affected by the tsunami, here are some disaster hotlines from around the region:

To contact representatives from India, call +91 11 2309 3054

To reach Thailand, call their emergency hotline at +66 2643 5262 and 2643 5000

For information about local residents in Sri Lanka, call +94 11 536 1938, for tourists the number is +94 11 243 7061

In the Maldives, the government hotline is +44 20 7224 2149

For more information on travelers in the Seychelles, call +248 321 676

dharmagrl

on Dec 28, 2004

Mano: I've tried a bunch of aid agencies and charities, and all anyone wants is monetary donations. Like I said, I just can't do that right now....and I know a few other people who would love to help but can't afford to give money. We all have figured that we can spare a couple of boxes of clothes each, some blankets and comforters, soap, detergents....the kind of things that the countries in question say they need.

It's so frustrating...we want to help, we have things that can be of use to people...but we're being turned away.

shadesofgrey

on Dec 28, 2004

Dharma--Since the agencies only want money, what if you contacted a couple of local stores and asked if they would be willing to put up change jars. Tell them you will make the jars, and be responsible for rolling the coins and converting it to a check to send to the agency. Even if you only collect ten dollars, it's better than nothing.

Let me know if you have any luck with that idea.

dharmagrl

on Dec 28, 2004

Shades: that's magnificent idea. I'd have to ask permission from the base commander, but i don't think she'll mind...

..and I can also ask off base and downtown to see if anyone wants to help there.

I'll let you know how it goes....

shadesofgrey

on Dec 28, 2004

I did it once for a fund raiser in college. I put jars in about 10 stores and collected around $100. With the magnitude of this tragedy, I'd imagine you'd collect a lot more! Most shopkeepers don't mind--though once you start getting into corporate run places it becames a big hassle--but local shops are usually great about loaning out some counter space for a good cause!

thatoneguyinslc

on Dec 28, 2004

Mother nature is to be feared and respected at all times. The images on tv are probably not as graphic as they are on the ground in these countries. I would suggest everyone who can should donate to the Red Cross, or another disaster relief fund.

Starstuff

on Dec 28, 2004

If your aUS citizen trust me your giving . For once your tax dallor willgo to do some good.
Give your cloths to a clothing bank to help.

Phoenixboi

on Dec 29, 2004

Dharma.. another way you can help even though it may sound weird or silly is by prayer and chanting for the ones who have died and the ones left. Sending out good energy to those places which have been hit hard by this. It all works on an energy level and at the moment this planet really needs it.

I fear there is much more to come.

Keep sending out the energy. It really does help. Guide the ones who have died to the heavens.

PlausibleDeniability

on Dec 30, 2004

on yahoo.com, with the news stories related to the tsunamis, there is a link to a charitable web page where you can donate to various charities such as the red cross, doctors without borders and other. That's where I went and it seemed to work out perfectly, and be legitimate.

latour999

on Dec 31, 2004

Fifty-two thousand is the death toll in Asia this afternoon, and according to sources it's only going to get bigger.

125,000+ and counting. This has to be the worst natural disaster I can remember. Hopefully we can prevent any more unnecessary deaths.

On The National (CBC news) earlier tonight, they were saying that since sometimes the objects are unnecessary and/or inappropriate, and the cost of transporting these objects is so high (upwards of $60,000 per plane load), it is better to send money because the sheer cost and volume (there was no room for more planes at Sri Lanka's main airport at times today) needed to ship these goods. It is much more efficient to buy food and goods from closer places with less travel costs, especially if you are sending $30,000 worth of goods, but spending $60,000 on fuel for the plane. Perhaps you can help by encouraging others to donate, such as using Shades' idea. I know I will donate.

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