TSUNAMI RELIEF EFFORTS

**MattBrady** · 12-31-2004, 10:46 AM

With a death toll of over 135,000 and still rising, aid is desperately needed for the relief efforts in Indonesia and the surrounding countries following the December 26th tsunami. As multiple news outlets have reported, money is the most needed donation both for the immediate and long-term for efforts in the region.

CNN has listed all the international aid groups raising funds for those affected by the tsunami, likewise, Amazon.com has instituted a “one-click” method for making donations to Red Cross Disaster Relief, which has collected over $7 million to date.

Newsarama.com urges those who can to give what they can to their agency of choice involved in the relief efforts.

On the comic book front, the Bendis Board has organized an auction, with the highest donors to the Red Cross receiving comic-related items, including the original art to the cover of Powers #5, donated by Mike Oeming (awarded to the individual making the highest donation to the Red Cross), three pages of original Powers art, as well as numerous sketches and other original art.

The Bendis Board auction page can be found here. Please read the instructions carefully, as this is a blind auction, and proof of donation must be shown before a “bid” can be made. The Bendis Board donation effort ends on January 3rd.

For those familiar with the Newsarama family, while Malaysia saw relatively minor damage and loss of life in the tsunami, staff writer Benjamin Ong Pang Kean and his wife are safe and sound.

Linkin Park has set up a site/fund at http://www.musicforrelief.org/ as well.

UPDATE January 1st: For those wishing to give directly to regional charities and relief efforts, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, a 160-year old independent, non-profit, non-political voluntary body of Sri Lanka’s Commercial Sector has established a website at http://www.sossrilanka.org/

Likewise, World Vision has many offices in the affected regions. A summary news page/gateway for World Vision can be found here. Another highly respected and non-political relief body doing work in the area (and of need of funds) is Doctors Without Borders.

From Arthur C. Clarke (who lives in Sri Lanka) is word of Sarvodaya, another Sri Lankan relief agency.

Finally, OxFam has established a response page here.

Newsarama Note: This is an appeal to all to donate what they can to help those suffering from a natural disater of horrific proportions, not the seed to start political debate or stir pro or anti feelings toward any nation, culture, or people. Any posts that do any of the previous will be deleted.

Meteoro7 · 12-31-2004, 11:25 AM

Kudos to Newsarama for promoting this so much needed help. It's good to see that this community can be attached into reality when it is needed.

Kermie · 12-31-2004, 12:02 PM

I'll donate some money, but no way am I gonna skip 2 comics!

jmarshall · 12-31-2004, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattBrady

Huh? What possible "political debate" could this issue provoke?

mavinga · 12-31-2004, 12:12 PM

This thing is horribly out of control. A lot of people aspire to do change the world, a donation is just that.

cactusmaac · 12-31-2004, 12:20 PM

Other than money, what's also helpful is going through your closet and donating all the clothing that you no longer require .

**MattBrady** · 12-31-2004, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jmarshall
Huh? What possible "political debate" could this issue provoke?

Look for it on your own, but it is.

But not here. 'Nuff said.

MattB

**MattBrady** · 12-31-2004, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cactusmaac
Other than money, what's also helpful is going through your closet and donating all the clothing that you no longer require .

Er, to an extent, but money does far more good right now, as it can be used to buy clothes in the affected countries for victims, rather than incur shipping costs for third parties to move it to the countries/people in need.

MattB

Michael C Lorah · 12-31-2004, 01:04 PM

Great idea, Matt. Some things are more important than even comics, and it's nice to know that our little community is helping out!

personally, the irony of "skip two comics, donate the money" is that I ordered some stuff from Amazon on Saturday (only one comic though), intending to pay for it with my Christmas money.

Then on Monday morning, I gave all my Christmas money to the tsunami relief fund that my work set up.

I'll also be giving to the Red Cross relief as well.

And somehow, I'll be paying off that Amazon order too.

Bobby Drake · 12-31-2004, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kermie
I'll donate some money, but no way am I gonna skip 2 comics!

I'll second that thought!

I have already donated, but I just wanted to praise Newsarama for taking effort to point their readers to this dire situation. Way to go you guys!

Krishna Sadasivam · 12-31-2004, 01:14 PM

The tsunami's hit a bit too close to home for us. My wife and I were visiting Chennai just a mere two weeks ago. We drove by the same beach that was hit by the devastating waves.

My uncle and aunt were swept up by the waves, but fortunately -- they were rescued by some fisherman. Sadly, one of our family friends in Singapore did not survive.

Thanks Newsarama, for posting this article.

-Krishna
Cartoonist, http://www.pcweenies.org

adampasz · 12-31-2004, 01:55 PM

Thanks for posting this, Newsarama.

I just sent $100, since our own government seems to be so clueless about helping people.

Mellow Doubt · 12-31-2004, 01:57 PM

If you refer to the map above, the Indonesian area devastated by the quake and tsunamis is just to the right of the name "Sri Lanka". I live in the capital, Jakarta (just under the first "n" in "Indonesia"), and so was not personally affected. I'm still trying to get my head around all this - earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and the like are not too uncommon in this country, but they happen far away and are nowhere near on the same scale of this latest catastrophe.

When I first heard of the earthquake, my initial reaction was just another, "Oh, that's bad." But as the situation developed and reached countries in another continent, it became apparent that this was not just another natural disaster. Seeing relief appeals in the most unlikeliest of places - including this very website - has driven the point home. This is major.

Needless to say, my thoughts go out to my fellow countrymen, and to all others who have suffered great losses in this massive tragedy. And I'd like to thank you all for donating - based on what I've been seeing on TV, we're going to need all the help we can get.

P.S. Regarding the "money is preferable" sentiment, I've just found this article which should help prevent well-intentioned generosity going to waste.

Marxist 64 · 12-31-2004, 02:04 PM

It's so sad to think that this is how those affected must end ther year.

Donate. It's the least any of us can do.

The Enemy · 12-31-2004, 02:15 PM

I donated $100 to Doctors Without Borders (www.msf.ca) last night and my wife donated $100 to the Red Cross (www.redcross.ca). I'm planning to donate a lot more once I've figured out my budget for January.

And, being Boxing Week, I managed to pick up some choice comics and TPBs at 50% off at my local shop.

You can donate and read too!

Kermie · 12-31-2004, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by adampasz
I just sent $100, since our own government seems to be so clueless about helping people.

Did you not read the whole article, specifically the last part?

Mike Bullock · 12-31-2004, 02:18 PM

We've donated personally and Runemaster Studios, Inc. will be donating as well.

Johnny Triangles · 12-31-2004, 02:31 PM

Anyone know what the BEST charity to donate to is? I want to make sure my money is going to a charity that doesn't eat up most of its donations through administrative expenses. Anyone have any idea which charities make sure most of your money gets to the right people?

Stalzer2002 · 12-31-2004, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by World Famous J. Triangles
Anyone know what the BEST charity to donate to is? I want to make sure my money is going to a charity that doesn't eat up most of its donations through administrative expenses. Anyone have any idea which charities make sure most of your money gets to the right people?

I heard on MSNBC that the Red Cross was listed as the best charity to donate to.

If you have a lot (or even a little) spare change lying around, you can turn the money in at a coinstar machine. They give you a donation option for several charities, including the Red Cross disaster relief. Coinstar doesn't take a cut if you donate. Change can add up pretty quickly...it's amazing how much money you can fit in a jar.

YDLM · 12-31-2004, 02:43 PM

THANKS MATT, I WISH EVERY ONE A HAPPY NEW YEAR AND HOPE YOU ALL HELP BY GIVE THESE POOR PEOPLE ANOTHER DAY.

enabler · 12-31-2004, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mellow Doubt
P.S. Regarding the "money is preferable" sentiment, I've just found this article which should help prevent well-intentioned generosity going to waste.

Thanks for that link... good article.

dollman · 12-31-2004, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by World Famous J. Triangles
Anyone know what the BEST charity to donate to is? I want to make sure my money is going to a charity that doesn't eat up most of its donations through administrative expenses. Anyone have any idea which charities make sure most of your money gets to the right people?

The Red Cross is probably best as they've been doing this type of thing for years. I made my donation a couple days after the tsunami hit. I'll probably kick in more after the Xmas bills are paid.

cactusmaac · 12-31-2004, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MattBrady
Er, to an extent, but money does far more good right now, as it can be used to buy clothes in the affected countries for victims, rather than incur shipping costs for third parties to move it to the countries/people in need.

MattB

Well, if I was unclear, I meant you can be doing both together instead of just sending money.

Johnny Triangles · 12-31-2004, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stalzer2002
I heard on MSNBC that the Red Cross was listed as the best charity to donate to.

If you have a lot (or even a little) spare change lying around, you can turn the money in at a coinstar machine. They give you a donation option for several charities, including the Red Cross disaster relief. Coinstar doesn't take a cut if you donate. Change can add up pretty quickly...it's amazing how much money you can fit in a jar.

Thanks.

captainamerica4 · 12-31-2004, 03:49 PM

Quote:

I heard on MSNBC that the Red Cross was listed as the best charity to donate to.

If you have a lot (or even a little) spare change lying around, you can turn the money in at a coinstar machine. They give you a donation option for several charities, including the Red Cross disaster relief. Coinstar doesn't take a cut if you donate. Change can add up pretty quickly...it's amazing how much money you can fit in a jar.

Great idea for those of us financially challenged but want to help! Thanks.

My condolences to those who have lost friends and family, this is truly a world tragedy.