4. Think beyond the immediate crisis to the long-term.
5. Bear in mind the expertise of local organizations.
6. Find out how prospective grantees operate.
7. Be accountable to those you are trying to help.
8. Communicate your work widely, and use it as an educational tool.
Responding to the Earthquake and Tsunamis in South Asia
Last Updated February 25, 2005
Charitable organizations interested in responding to the humanitarian crises following the earthquake and the series of tsunamis in South Asia and neighboring regions may find the following resources useful. These links take you to organizations currently responding to the crises as well as provide general advice on the most appropriate ways to help those affected by overseas disasters.
The following is provided for educational purposes only. Please consult the Disclaimer for a full explanation of the purposes and limitations of this information.
Disaster Grantmaking: A Practical Guide for Foundations and Corporations: A joint product of the Council on Foundations and the European Foundation Centre, this free publication suggests eight principles (listed to the left) plus practical tips for grantmakers to consider when responding to emergency situations.
InterAction -- the largest alliance of U.S.-based international development and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations. InterAction lists over 65 "approved" organizations currently providing disaster relief in the region along with details of assistance provided. See http://www.interaction.org/sasia/index.html. InterAction members have agreed to abide by a set of standards to ensure accountability to donors. View InterAction's Guide to Appropriate Giving. Note that InterAction member Doctors Without Borders is no longer accepting funds specifically for tsunami relief operations and requests that contributions be made instead to its general Emergency Relief Fund.
Disaster Relief: Providing Assistance Through Charitable Organizations: Prepared by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Exempt and Government Entities division. Although this publication does not focus on international grantmaking it extends advice on how to give through existing U.S. charitable organizations, how to set up a new charitable organization and the requirements for documentation. Download it here.
American India Foundation -- was formed in 2001 in response to the earthquake in Gujarat, India. AIF aims to raise at least $2 million in the next 90 days for its Tsunami Relief Fund. AIF will match dollar for dollar the first $1 million in contributions with 100% going to provide assistance to those in India recovering from the massive tsunami. Donations to AIF may be made through any of its nine local chapters across the U.S. or online at http://www.aifoundation.org/site/GetInvolved/donate.html.
CAFAmerica (Charities Aid Foundation America) --
CAFAmerica is supporting the Disasters Emergency Committee. Donors should specify "DEC Tsunami Earthquake Appeal" or any specific charity providing aid in the area. Funds will be directed towards providing clean water, food and shelter. More information on DEC can be found at www.dec.org.uk. Give online: www.cafamerica.org or call 703/549-8931.
Family Care Foundation (FCF) -- Project Partners and volunteers of Family Care Foundation have been on the ground in India, Thailand and Indonesia soon after the earthquake, responding to the most urgent needs, as well continuing to assess upcoming needs. Contributions to its Tsunami Fund may made online at https://secure.serve.com/familycare/getinvolved/donateform.htm
Give2Asia -- Established by The Asia Foundation, this U.S.-based organization has set up a Tsunami Recovery Fund to be used for emergency relief as well as for long-term needs including restoring public services, rebuilding schools and institutions and re-establishing local economies. Give2Asia has offices in Colombo, Bangkok, Delhi, and Jakarta. See http://www.give2asia.org/.
Global Fund for Children -- is providing emergency relief to grantee partners in the affected regions of South Asia and also assisting in long-term reconstruction efforts. All donations to its Tsunami Relief and Reconstruction Fund will go directly to community-based non-governmental organizations responding to the effects of the December tsunami. To make online donations or get an updated report on the work of GFC’s grantee partners in the affected regions click here: http://www.globalfundforchildren.org/asia_disaster.htm
Global Greengrants Fund -- will match the first $25,000 donated (up from $5,000 earlier). Donations will go directly to two groups with pre-existing relationships. The Saviya Development Foundation in Galle, Sri Lanka, will supply food and water, support medical efforts, and resolve residential problems within the 25 refugee centers along the southern coast of Sri Lanka. In Indonesia, Greengrants will fund WALHI Indonesian Forum for Environment, which has crisis centers in Jakarta and Medan in North Sumatra (see http://www.eng.walhi.or.id/) to meet immediate needs and the post-emergency phase of rebuilding. To donate, visit: www.greengrants.org/donate.
International Community Foundation partnered with the United Nations Foundation to establish the UN Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund at ICF. The UN Foundation will match ICF contributions on a 1:2 matching basis. The UN Foundation has increased the cap to $200,000 from $50,000 with a new fundraising goal of $600,000. 100% of all monies raised from the Fund will go to support UN agencies directly involved in relief efforts.
The Tides Foundation -- is accepting contributions to provide emergency relief for nearly ten years. Funds will go to effective grassroots and advocacy organizations working for short-term relief as well as for long-term economic and structural change. For more information about this effort in South Asia and Africa, please contact Tides Foundation Philanthropic Advisor Catalina Ruiz-Healy at 415/561-6345 or cruizhealy@tides.org.
United Nations Foundation -- established the UN Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund in partnership with the International Community Foundation to support UN relief efforts in tsunami affected areas across Asia. 100% of donations to the Fund will support the UN's relief efforts. Donate online here.
ReliefWeb-- a project of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, this web site serves as a clearing house for information on the situation in South and Southeast Asia.
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) -- This press center is dedicated to providing information on relief efforts in place, especially those specifically targeted towards children in the affected region.
The following information is provided as a convenience for grantmakers interested in giving direct funding to local organizations in tsunami-affected countries. Please note that the Council on Foundations has no first-hand experience with any of the local organizations and has compiled this list based on information provided to it by either Council members or partner organizations.
Grantmakers Without Borders -- a network of trustees and staff of public and private foundations as well as individual donors who practice global social change philanthropy. GWOB lists several indigenous organizations in India and Sri Lanka.
Country Information -- Information on the charitable and nonprofit laws in India and Indonesia prepared by the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law. The relevant legislative provisions may assist grantmakers in undertaking equivalency determinations for foreign grantees.
