Helping Tsunami Victims

January 6, 2005 - We have been touched and saddened, as a community and on a personal level, by the Boxing Day earth quake and tsunamis in Southeast Asia. For most of us, a tragedy on this scale is unimaginable.

The City of Vancouver has announced it is working with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to contribute to the massive reconstruction effort to help the ravaged communities get back on their feet.

The Government of British Columbia has already pledged $8 million to the Canadian Red Cross for its tsunami relief effort.

You can help in the international crisis. If you are able to contribute money, your generosity can have an enormous impact on the ground. The Government of Canada will match (until at least January 11th) donations made by individuals to the following relief organizations already involved in responding to the disaster and bringing hope to the regions.

Canadian Red Cross CARE Canada OXFAM Canada World Vision Canada

UNICEF Canada Doctors Without Borders Save the Children

Donations to help the survivors can also be made by contacting the Salvation Army and many other aid agencies.

Fund raising events and activities, big and small, are taking place in various neighborhoods around Vancouver to assist the tsunami victims. Watch for them in your community.

Links are provided for information only and not as an endorsement of any particular charity. If you want to donate, contact the organization directly for information on how the funds are distributed.

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