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Member
responses
Joe Yaggi here. Thanks for this. We
will keep you informed as things progress on this end. We’re in talks
with a number of organizations regarding the area and looking at long-term
assistance through our medium. We’re also continuing our involvement
in Papua and Kalimantan/Borneo working on marine, culture and forestry
issues. One colleague of ours is planning a survey of Sumatra looking
at the environmental impacts of the tsunami, I’ll pass that and other
information on as it becomes available. A funny article in the Jakarta Post that you may have seen through other news media related a story of Sri Lankan researchers/aid workers recounting that even though they were finding bodies far and wide, they didn’t find any elephants, leopards or even a rabbit. I read another story about elephants used for tourism saving the lives of a number of people because they refused to stay put just before the tsunami hit. Another story described a woman swimming in the tsunami wave “rescued” by a passing giant python...! Best regards to you and the whole of FFC. Joe
and the Jungle Run Team Ferenc
Gutai wrote: Tsunami
Appeal Dear All, The hearts and prayers of not only the board but all our members go out to all the people who are suffering as a consequence of the Tsunami and who are now in an extremely difficult position trying to rebuild their lives in the shadow of the aftermath. The trauma of losing family members on such a scale is unimaginable. FFC and GAFI would like to offer our profound condolences to those members and colleagues who have lost families and friends and we would like to pay tribute to the scores of victims who were working in the region. Many volunteers and NGO workers have died, uniting us all not only by their commitment to the environment, but now in a shared sense of loss. We cannot replace them, but we can promise to carry on their work and strive to realize the goals they dedicated themselves to and gave their lives for. Both FFC and GAFI have been contacted by numerous individuals and organisations seeking news on what has happened to the wildlife in the devastated areas. We are glad to be able to reassure them that the initial impact of the Tsunami on the wildlife population was minimal. Unfortunately, the after effects of rebuilding the devastated areas with its understandable requirements for timber and wood may have a longer term impact. We will of course keep all our members updated with further news as we hear. If you have not already donated any money, or even if you have but feel moved to send more, below are a small number of relief organisations that have been in contact with us. FFC Board SUMATRAN
ORANGUTAN SOCIETY
Dear All, The world is only now waking up to the magnitude of the disaster in Sumatra. The situation is unprecedented in recorded history. Being closest to the epicentre we knew early on that Indonesia was severely hit as international media and aid concentrated on more accessible places such as Thailand, Sri Lanka and India. We have been too busy
with relief work to get a press release out from Sumatran Orangutan Society
(SOS) with a synopsis with our involvement in the relief effort. SOS has
ceased all orangutan work for the time being and has been concentrating
on humanitarian aid since December 27th, the day after the tsunami. "The worst-hit
country, Indonesia, now says that more than 94,000 people have died there
alone, as total deaths near 140,000." Although we realise that many international organisations are collecting relief funds, please consider donating to us as we are getting much needed aid out there as you read this. We can guarantee all financial donations will be used wisely. Further details are available on both the SOS website and the Aceh Aid at IDEP website (www.idepfoundation.org). Our policy is to purchase supplies in Medan/Padang and load the trucks directly. Local purchasing has several advantages: they are inexpensive, the local economy is supported and recipients get supplies they are familiar with. So cash is the best possible support you can provide us. All account details
further below you can either: N.B. All international bank transfers require the Swift Code N.B. From UK those
that do not mind forgoing the tax relief, funds could be sent direct to
any of the accounts below. 1. Or go directly
to www.paypal.com USA SOS account: SOS Sweden account: New Zealand account: ACEH AID at IDEP
account: "We have people in the air, people on land, people on the seas all working at maximum capacity to alleviate the crisis in Aceh." Quote from Lucy Wisdom, Director Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS). The SOS is a key team member at Aceh Aid at IDEP. SRI LANKA WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY Dear Friends, You are aware of the Tsunami that wreaked havoc in South and Southeast Asia causing incredible damage to human life and property. The devastation it caused is unprecedented and unfortunately Sri Lanka is one of the worst hit countries. Government officials state as of now the death toll is over 28,475 and still counting with another 5,000 unaccounted for. In the aftermath of the Tsunami while providing services to ensure the hygiene (drinking water, sewage and waste disposal) and health concerns of the affected people is the priority - damage to the environment and assessing ecological consequences and concerns are some of the still to be addressed issues. We appeal you to convey this message to your friends, colleagues and family and ask them to respond generously to this appeal to help alleviate the suffering and damage caused by this great natural disaster. Please send out this message to your network of friends, family and co-workers to appeal for relief assistance from a wide audience. To see images or if
you would like to contribute to our relief efforts, you can make a donation
online at: or send a check earmarked "Tsunami-Relief" and payable to the: Sri Lanka Wildlife
Conservation Society All donations are tax-deductible in the USA. SLWCS US IRS Tax ID No: 22-3509091 The Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society (www.SLWCS.org http://www.slwcs.org/) is the first organization to be established outside Sri Lanka for the sole purpose of helping to conserve and preserve the dwindling biodiversity of Sri Lanka. The Society is a fully incorporated non-profit, tax-exempt organization based in the U.S.A., and a fully registered voluntary social service non-governmental organization with the Ministry of Social Welfare in Sri Lanka. BIODIVERSITY AND ELEPHANT CONSERVATION TRUST
HELPING TSUNAMI VICTIMS As you are aware Sri Lanka was one of the countries that were very badly affected by the recent Tsunami. Sri Lanka has the second highest number of recorded deaths at over 30,000 (and the figure is still rising). The devastation and damage caused is unimaginable and has to be seen to be believed. The reconstruction of the infrastructure and the resettlement of the one million displaced persons will take a number of years. Thank you for your generosity towards people in dire need. Mr. Nihal A Perera, a Sri Lankan ,who has spent over 15 years in the United States has now returned to Sri Lanka and is helping BECT full time with the new rehabilitation project. Donations should be sent to: 'BECT Tsunami Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Trust' Account Number 0111 0000 7235 at the Nations Trust Bank, Dharmapala Mawatha, Colombo 7 Sri Lanka. Bank No. NTBCLKCX Jayantha Jayewardene Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme Hi all, Even a little goes along way here in Indonesia.... you'd be surprised how cheap things can be here.... but remember also that prices are slowly rising for some things so do it fast! http://www.4apes.com/downloads/Indonesia-Appeal-letter.doc http://www.4apes.com/downloads/Indonesia-Press-releasePanEco-final.doc Ian Singleton Ph.D
INDIAN OCEAN TSUNAMI: EARLY OBSERVATIONS OF EFFECTS ON MARINE ENVIRONMENTS Statement From the IUCN Marine Programme |