Convoy of Hope pledges long-term aid to tsunami ravaged Southeast Asia
Springfield, Mo. — While images of the destruction incurred by December’s catastrophic tsunami may be seen less frequently, the day-to-day needs of those affected continue to grow.
Some relief organizations that provide immediate disaster relief have concluded their activity. Springfield-based Convoy of Hope has committed to long-term assistance, expected to last throughout 2005 and potentially beyond.
Upon making this commitment, Hal Donaldson, President of the Convoy of Hope, said, “This is not a project that will take just several weeks; people lost their possessions and their livelihood. It will require several years for these families to get a solid start in their new lives.”
As the immediate disaster response makes way for the long-term, Convoy personnel continually assess needs and collaborate with other relief organizations to ensure that they are not duplicating efforts in one community and missing the needs of another.
Director of Advancement, Mike Ennis, reconfirmed the organization’s need for donations, “While food and supplies are always needed and appreciated, our greatest need remains cash. Monetary gifts equip us to purchase food and supplies in the affected countries and help to cover the shipping expenses for containers filled with long-term supplies.”
Convoy has partnered with a number of agencies indigenous to the affected areas. Relief efforts are well underway in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. Disease is the immediate threat; those who survived the tsunami are now becoming ill through contaminated water and food bacteria.
For more detailed information on what Convoy has already provided and plans for further assistance, please visit http://www.convoyofhope.org For more information:
Jeff Nene, Convoy of Hope™ Director of Media (417) 823-8998, (417) 860-2196 mobile
Convoy of Hope™ is a non-profit organization that provides resources to organizations and churches to meet physical and spiritual needs for the purpose of making the community a better place. This is accomplished through outreaches, supply lines, and disaster response domestically and internationally.