June 03, 2008
U.S. Charities Raise More Than $70-Million for Asian Disasters
By Caroline Preston
American relief groups have raised more than $72-million to help victims of the cyclone that struck Myanmar and the earthquake in China last month. Donors have given just over $32-million for each disaster and more than $7-million that can go toward either one.
While giving has slowed considerably over the past week, some groups say that donors are still responding to their requests for help.
“We’re still seeing a stream of donations,” said Mark Melia, deputy vice president of charitable giving with Catholic Relief Services.
His charity has raised $1.6-million for Myanmar, $400,000 of which has come in over the past 10 days. The charity has also received $81,000 for China.
“People care because of the depth of the situation in Myanmar, and they care in China because of the suddeness and the devastation that the earthquake wrought,” said Ken Isaacs, vice president of programs and government relations with Samaritan’s Purse.
His organization has raised $1.4-million for Myanmar, more than $450,000 of which has been contributed in the past 10 days. The group has also brought in $396,000 for China.
Mr. Isaacs estimated that his charity has so far spent between $800,000 and $900,000 in Myanmar. He said that, despite the obstacles to gaining access to people in need, the group could easily spend several million dollars effectively in the country.
Big Gains
Several groups that continue to see donations climb include:
- The American Red Cross, which has received roughly $4-million for China over the past 10 days, compared with $200,000 for Myanmar. In total, the organization has raised $20-million for China and $2.1-million for Myanmar.
- CARE, which has received about $1.8-million for victims in Myanmar over the past ten days. It has raised a total of $5.8-million.
- Mercy Corps, which has raised $5.2-million for China and $1.6-million for Myanmar.
- Save the Children, which brought in approximately $1.2-million of the more than $6-million it has raised for Myanmar in that time period. The charity has also raised $961,000 for earthquake victims.
- World Vision, which has won $6.9-million for Myanmar, compared with $5.7-million 10 days ago. The charity has also raised $2.5-million for China and $972,000 for a fund that could be used for either disaster.
Range of Responses
Other groups raising money for the disasters include:
- Action Against Hunger, which has received $400,000 for the relief efforts in Myanmar.
- AmeriCares, which has received more than $1.2-million for both crises.
- American Jewish World Service, which has received $220,000 for Myanmar.
- Direct Relief International, which has raised $527,000 for victims of the Myanmar catastrophe.
- Food for the Hungry, which has won $478,000 for Myanmar, $25,000 for China, and $14,000 for either disaster.
- Friends of the World Food Program, which has brought in $2.8-million for Myanmar.
- Foundation for the People of Burma, which has received $500,000 for cyclone victims.
- Give2Asia, which has won $3-million for China and $100,000 for Myanmar.
- The International Rescue Committee, which has raised $1.8-million to help victims of the cyclone. It is not raising money for earthquake victims.
- Lions Clubs International has raised more than $100,000 from Canadian and American donors for the China earthquake.
- Lutheran World Relief, which has won $93,800 for Myanmar and $24,700 for China.
- Mennonite Central Committee, which has raised $250,000 for Myanmar and $70,000 for China.
- Operation USA, which has brought in $131,000 for Myanmar and $118,000 for China.
- Oxfam America, which has raised $735,000 for China and $640,000 for Myanmar.
- Plan USA, which has received $85,683 for Myanmar and $2,100 for China.
- Project Hope, which has raised $710,000. Of that amount, $600,000 represents corporate contributions that have been earmarked for China.
- The Salvation Army, which has raised more than $120,000 for the two disasters, most of it earmarked for people in Myanmar.
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