the largest earthquake in 40 years

[sabotabby]

beyond horrible

At 7:58 AM, over 10,000 human lives were wiped off the planet without warning.

There aren't words.

EDIT: I just checked and the death toll is now at least 11,000.

If anyone knows of any way to help or donate to the relief effort, please post about it in the comments.

EDIT: 17,000 (and some disgusting comments in conservatism, but let's not go there).

rahalia_cat compiled a list of relief organizations to which you can donate.

Comments

[zazuomgwtf.livejournal.com]

the mind boggles at the enormity of the tradgedy...

[agent-tweed.livejournal.com]

Tonight I light a candle and mourn with Southeast Asia.

[kynn.livejournal.com]

Yeah. This is stunning and horrific to me.

[fanciulla.livejournal.com]

OH MY GOD!!! oh my god! :(

[agent-tweed.livejournal.com]

There are many ways to donate. I would strongly recommend directing people to: http://www.reliefweb.int/w/rwb.nsf

They have current OCHA and UNDP sitreps as well as international NGO actions and organizations that are regularly updated. Doctors Without Borders, International Federation of The Red Cross/Red Crescent, and Mercy Corps are three big and well respected groups already geared up and there are reports from many many more very well respected groups.

Please just remind folks that "in kind" donations are not the way to go. The organizations need CASH. In this way they can purchase needed materials "in country" and keep the local economies going, as well as purchase the essentials that they cannot get in-country AND the transportation for those essentials . They can also purchase culturally appropriate clothing and foodstuffs for the populations. They have the know-how to do it.

Also for people to beware of the "insta-charities" and "drives" that play on sentiment. Here is a good site with a hoard of practical advice and "lessons learned" http://www.cidi.org/

We have to be focused on the practical aspects even though our hearts are breaking. That was my "lesson learned" when I did USAID/OFDA outsourced emergency transport logistics for a couple of years at my old job. You do NOT want to know what it costs to charter a 747 freighter to India.

[sabotabby]

Thanks. This is incredibly useful.

[marquisdesod.livejournal.com]

Thank you.

[lopukhov.livejournal.com]

Yeah, my mothaland is one of the places hit. Pity that it's triggered my mum to go on a religious trip, by saying that Aceh and East Timor got hit because they were trying to break free. I argued with her saying that the ID gov't wasn't all that innocent and clean, but she said, "yeah right, the Human Rights alibi, this country always uses it."

Partially true, I guess, but the whole religious trip about how they deserved it...

[sabotabby]

Ugh. Is your family okay, though? I called up my friend who grew up in Jakarta in a panic, but apparently no one he knew lived anywhere near where it hit.

[lopukhov.livejournal.com]

I think they're okay. My mum's birth-city was wrecked though cos it is so close to Aceh. We have family all over the place; from my dad's side, they're all okay. My mum couldn't get a hold of her sis in Palembang (which is in southern Sumatra). My dad's okay though

[sabotabby]

I hope so. Part of my complete and utter horror is that I know a fair number of people from the region and I'm worried about everyone's families.