Tsunami Relief - How You Can Help

Webmaster's note: We'll try to post more information here about some good relief organizations you might consider supporting, or about other ways you might help; or you can find lists almost anywhere. Above all, please be in prayer for all those affected by this disaster.

• Tsunami Relief Work Teams: There are plans, partnering with several area churches, to develop a rotation of medical and construction teams to minister in tsunami-affected areas for the next several months. Teams will go for about 2 weeks at a time. The first group will be leaving shortly and will be establishing the site and logistics for future work crews. If you are interested, please contact Pieter DeSmit (410-823-6145, ext. 223 or missions@centralpc.org). Whether or not you choose to go, please pray for this effort, for the unknowns to become blessings and the dangers to be minimal. (1/23 NV)
• Central has established an account for tsunami relief. All contributions will be channeled through reliable institutions and individuals who will minister to needs reflecting Jesus' love for mankind everywhere. Checks should be made out to Central Presbyterian Church and marked for "Disaster Relief."
• American Red Cross
• World Relief
  An international hunger and poverty relief organization of "Churches helping Churches help the hurting." "...an energetic assembly of evangelicals anxious to provide "food for the body and food for the soul" all over the globe." They focus on the 3 areas of emergency relief, refugee care and long-term help, striving to address the physical and spiritual needs of those they serve, while teaching people how to become self-reliant.

• World Vision International
  World Vision is one of the best-known and most effective organizations for helping the poor and oppressed world-wide. Many people know them for their child sponsorship programs. "Each year World Vision brings practical help, human dignity, spiritual guidance, and the promise of a brighter future to the lives of approximately 50 million people, through at least 4,300 programs in more than 100 nations." See also World Vision (United States).

See also:

• NV: Mission News: Backyard Tsunami, 5/1/05
• NV: Tsunami Disaster Relief, 2/6/05

Warning: FBI Warns: Many Tsunami Relief Pleas Are Fake
"Even in the face of terrible disasters such as the Tsunami that hit South East Asia and Africa in late December, many are finding ways to take advantage of it and make money off of it. An example is fake websites that claim to be non-profit charitable organizations that help out the victims when they really take all the money for themselves. Other instances are emails or websites written by people who claim to be survivors of the disaster and are asking for help. The FBI warns that many of these are fake and recommends people to help via known non-profit organizations." There are more useful details in the linked article.