Press Release (January 20, 2005)

UPDATE ON CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES'
ASSISTANCE FOR ASIAN TSUNAMI VICTIMS
www.catholicrelief.org


The number of people reported to have died in the tsunami disaster has reached 220,000, most of them in Indonesia (166,000), where over 50,000 names of the missing were added to the list of the dead. To help victims in some of the affected countries, the Tsunami Emergency Relief Fund of Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has collected over $26 million so far. Prior to this disaster, the largest sums that CRS has raised and spent on international relief efforts included $50 million for the Ethiopian famine and $31.4 million for the Kosovo refugee crisis. The agency's supporters, primarily Catholics from around the country, have been moved by the tragedy occurring so close to Christmas and have continued to make generous donations.

CRS' Vice President for U.S. Operations, Joan Neal, recently visited relief camps and villages which were destroyed in the southeastern coastal areas of India (Chennai, Pondicherry and Paramnkenii), and spoke with survivors. She also met with CRS staff members, partners and local church officials to discuss the emergency and long-term relief efforts. More than 10,500 people were killed in India and over 5,500 are still listed as missing as a result of the tsunamis. Nearly 400,000 displaced persons are staying in relief camps.

In India, Catholic Relief Services is partnering with Caritas India to provide basic needs (such as food, medicine, clothing, and temporary shelter) and to help rebuild livelihoods for 34,500 tsunami-affected families. Program areas include clean water and sanitation, temporary shelter, treatment of psychosocial needs, intermediate resettlement assistance, and long-term reconstruction and rehabilitation of communities.

In Sri Lanka, Catholic Relief Services has partnered with World Vision to help survivors traumatized by their ordeal cope with the psychological aftermath of their experiences. According to a clinical psychologist, Michael Finegan, who volunteered to work with the victims, they will be plagued by the survivor's guilt: "They were on roofs, watching the water carry people away who were screaming for help, and they couldn't do anything about it."

Catholic Relief Services also provides tsunami aid in Indionesia and Thailand. According to the agency's President and CEO, Ken Hackett, "CRS has had a significant presence in south and southeast Asia for more than 60 years, providing both emergency and long-term development assistance." CRS is the official international humanitarian organization of the U.S. Catholic community. The agency assists people in 99 countries and territories based on need, regardless of race, creed or nationality. To learn more about CRS’ tsunami relief efforts or how to support these efforts, visit: www.catholicrelief.org.



Established in 1919, Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc. has served millions of people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, income, gender or religious belief. During the past fiscal year (July 1, 2003 - June 30, 2004), in more than 50 offices and community centers, the agency provided over 1,286,000 services to approximately 242,000 different individuals. People in need come to Catholic Charities for emergency food and shelter, low-cost before-and-after-school childcare, immigration and refugee assistance, psychological services, computer and jobs skills training, and other supportive services. Poverty doesn't discriminate. How could Catholic Charities?