CRS responds to tsunami emergency

Social justice news
January 2005

CRS responds to tsunami emergency
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CRS responds to tsunami emergency
FROM Catholic Relief Services: The Bush/Clinton effort to generate private funds from the American public in support of humanitarian tsunami relief work will be vital to CRS relief workers, our local partners and all those we are assisting in this emergency. CRS President Ken Hackett expressed his appreciation:

"Catholic Relief Services is grateful for the vital support this will bring to relief workers, our local partners and all those we’re assisting in this crisis. The visibility of two former presidents promoting American private, charitable contributions demonstrates a commitment by the U.S. government that we believe is appropriate and necessary for responding to what will be a lengthy period of recovery across the south and southeast Asia region. We remain impressed and grateful for the generosity Americans have shown, time and again, in support of life-saving relief efforts."

Faith in continued generosity of American public
The Catholic community and the American public at large have demonstrated enormous, unprecedented generosity in response to this crisis. We are very grateful and have faith that people will continue to provide what they can so that we can fund our commitment to provide life-saving and long-term assistance for those who have lost so much.

CRS commits staff and $25 million
CRS has committed $25 million for emergency relief and long-term rehabilitation programs to assist people devastated by the Indian Ocean tsunami. This amount represented one of the earliest and largest such commitments and is likely to grow as CRS assesses the tremendous immediate and long-term recovery needs. The funding will focus primarily on India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Effects in Burma, Somalia and Madagascar will also be assessed.

CRS is committed to long-term recovery and rehabilitation
Recovery to a disaster of this magnitude will take years. In keeping with our mission, CRS will focus on long-term recovery and rehabilitation after immediate needs are met – providing survivors with the tools and capacity to rebuild their own lives. In this way, effected communities can become more self-sufficient and reach their potential.

CRS has had a significant presence in south and southeast Asia for more than 60 years, providing both emergency and long-term development assistance. Our vast network of programs and partnerships enabled us to mobilize a response within hours after the tsunami struck. Our local and international staffs are professionals who have worked in some of the most dire emergencies around the world.

To Help Now
To contribute to the rescue and rehabilitation efforts of CRS, please call 877-435-7277, donate online at www.CRS.org, or write to us at:

Catholic Relief Services
Tsunami Emergency Relief Fund
P.O. Box 17090
Baltimore, MD 21203-7090

Spread the word: You can help tsunami survivors with your checkbook and your legwork. Simply print out this PDF file and hand them out among your family, friends, co-workers and parishioners. Your efforts are greatly appreciated. You will be helping us keep our mailing costs down and ensure that 94 percent of the money received goes to tsunami relief efforts. Thank you.

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