IOCC Responding to Massive Earthquake / Tidal Waves Disaster in South Asia

BALTIMORE, MD [IOCC Communication] — International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is joining with its partner Church World Service to respond immediately to the massive earthquake disaster throughout Southern Asia. Together with CWS, IOCC is developing a regional response to the crisis, focusing initially on hardest-hit areas in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, and elsewhere, and CWS assessment and relief teams are on their way to the region now.

The fourth largest earthquake in recorded history has wreaked major destruction across approximately a dozen countries in Southern Asia. The initial quake, which struck 100 miles off the coast of Indonesia’s Sumatra Island at around 7 a.m. Sunday, measured 9.0 in magnitude on the Richter scale and was part of a powerful series of earthquakes. The undersea quakes triggered enormous tidal waves which swept across the Indian Ocean, striking coastal regions of Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Burma and Malaysia, and elsewhere. As of 8 am eastern time on December 27, the death toll across the region was estimated at 21,000 and rising.

The joint relief effort may include an airlift of emergency relief supplies, including hygiene and emergency shelter supplies, from facilities in the US. IOCC has established a goal of $100,000 for the initial phase of its relief efforts. This appeal will be updated as response and recovery actions continue and expand in the coming days.

Donations for IOCC’s “Asia Disaster Response” maybe sent to IOCC, P.O. Box 630225, Baltimore, MD 21263-0225. Donations may also be made online at www.iocc.org or by calling toll-free 1-877-803-IOCC (4622).

For more information, please contact IOCC Communications Associate Stephen Huba at 1-877-803-4622 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).