Southeast Asia Center

Message from the Director

SEAC has been gathering information about how people can
help to alleviate the suffering cause by the powerful earthquakes in
Padang, Sumatra. According to NYT today, the death toll is already
over 1,100 people. It is estimated that hundreds of people are still
buried under the ruins and have not yet been excavated. See
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/02/world/asia/02quake.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper

Evi Sutrisno, graduate student in Anthropology, has informed us that
the Seattle-based Indonesian organization, the CERDAS foundation, is
raising funds for the victims of the earthquake. If you would like to
contribute, please visit their website: www.cerdasfoundation.org.

We have also gathered information on the recent typhoon in the
Philippines that has also caused death and destruction. Please see the
links and information below.

Laurie Sears, Director
Southeast Asia Center

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Padang Earthquake Urgent Appeal

On Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the
Richter scale struck the city of Padang and the surrounding areas in
the province of West Sumatra in Indonesia. On Thursday morning a
second earthquake measuring 6.6 on the Richter scale hit just south of
Padang. These earthquakes have claimed 100s of lives and injured
thousands by the latest estimation. Thousands of people have been left
homeless, remaining in make-shift tents or without any form of
shelter. With the destruction of houses and infrastructure such as
sanitary and water systems, the survivors are finding themselves
unable to meet their most basic needs.
"In an effort to provide support and relief to those impacted by this
earthquake, we are collecting funds that will be distributed to those
in need. CERDAS is collaborating with other Non-Government
Organizations (NGOs) that have access to the affected areas to bring
timely and effective relief to the quake victims."

Donations will be collected until Wednesday, October 7, 2009. Please
send your donation today. Every little bit helps. You can conveniently
make your contribution through PayPal. Please visit our website at:
<http://www.cerdasfoundation.org/> and select the Donate section, and
mention in your PayPal or Credit Card payment that you are donating
for the Padang Earthquake Appeal.

You can also send a check made out to CERDAS Foundation - please make
a note that the donation is for Padang Earthquake Appeal - to:
CERDAS Foundation
4059 NE 55th St
Seattle, WA 98105
On behalf of the victims of the Padang earthquake, we thank you.

CERDAS Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Your
contribution is tax deductible to the extent permitted by law. Tax ID#
26-1640702

 ________________________________

Typhoon in the Philippines

Typhoon Ketsana (or Typhoon Ondoy) slammed into the Philippines on
September 26, 2009, killing at least 240 people and affecting more than
1.8 million people. A number of international organizations and NGOs are
coordinating support for relief efforts. If you are interested in
donating, please see the links below.

Philippine Red Cross
<http://www.redcross.org.ph/Site/PNRC/Default.aspx?S=48&SS=972>

Catholic Relief Services
http://crs.org/philippines/katrina-of-philippines/

BayanUSA
<http://bayanusa.org/>

Philippine Jesuit Foundation
<http://www.jesuits.ph/articles/help_the_victims_of_typhoon_ondoy>
Send checks made out to Philippine Jesuit Foundation, and on the memo
line, mark for relief of Typhoon Ondoy Victims. Mail to: Philippine Jesuit
Foundation, 236 West 27th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10001.