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(ARA) - The horrific earthquake and tsunami that decimated parts of Southern Asia showed the fragility of human life and the worst ravages of nature. Fortunately, though, it has also illustrated an incredible spirit of generosity and volunteerism. People have truly come together to forge a lifesaving response to this unprecedented disaster. When giving to a relief effort of this magnitude, people want to make sure that their donations are going to help families in need. Donors also want to ensure that organizations use their resources to deliver quick, effective aid to the areas they specify.
One established and trustworthy relief organization that combines experience with efficiency is Mercy Corps (www.mercycorps.org). Just hours after the tsunami struck, the international relief and development organization headquartered in Portland, Ore., mounted a rapid, lifesaving response, bringing help and hope to some of the region's most isolated and hard-hit areas. Its emergency team immediately put donations to use, purchasing critical provisions such as food, water and shelter materials.
In the week following the catastrophe, Mercy Corps has worked around the clock to guarantee lifesaving relief to survivors and set up longer-term programs to assist communities during the recovery and rebuilding to come. In addition to distributing rice and other nutritious food to over 91,000 displaced people in Aceh Besar, Indonesia, Mercy Corps has shipped several thousand bottles of water and boxes of biscuits and milk for children and babies in Banda Aceh, Indonesia, and delivered food and other essentials to over 5,000 families in remote and isolated areas of Sumatra, including the city of Meulaboh and the Nias Islands.
According to Tom Hensleigh, Mercy Corps’ country director in Indonesia, the organization is planning to stand by survivors as they rebuild their homes and lives. "We will be in Aceh [province] for the next two to three years," he says. "This isn't just a 'truck and chuck' operation - we're building a foundation for the future of this part of Indonesia."
Mercy Corps has a long history of helping poor families recover from disaster, war and famine. The organization has helped communities heal and move toward a brighter future in places like Kosovo, Sudan and Iraq.
For donors who want to ensure their money makes a difference for vulnerable families in Southern Asia, giving to Mercy Corps is an easy and reliable choice. Over 91 percent of resources go directly towards helping children and families in some of the world’s poorest regions. Charity Navigator, a leading charity evaluator, has consistently given Mercy Corps its distinguished “four-star” rating.
For more information on Mercy Corps’ relief efforts in tsunami-ravaged Southern Asia and throughout the world, please visit www.mercycorps.org.
Courtesy of ARA Content
