CIDI Urges Public to Donate Cash to Help Victims of Pakistan Earthquake

Money is the Best Form of Donation to Provide Effective and Immediate Assistance
Press Release: 13 October 2005

 
ARLINGTON, VA (October 13, 2005) - The Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) is urging all those who wish to help to donate cash, as an alternative to gifts-in-kind and other commodities, to provide immediate and effective assistance to victims of the October 8 earthquake that was felt across northern Pakistan, as well as parts of India and Afghanistan. The earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale has claimed an estimated 30,000 lives to date, and left millions of people without electricity, food, clean water and shelter.

"This is a terrible tragedy, sadly reminiscent of the tsunami that hit Southeast Asia last December," said Suzanne Brooks, director of the Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) in Arlington, Virginia. "In the days and months to come, it will be critical for relief workers to have the resources they need to respond quickly and effectively to victims' needs. While gifts-in-kind are appreciated, the fastest and best way to provide this assistance is through cash donations."

Individuals and organizations interested in making contributions to help the victims of the South Asian earthquake can get more information by accessing CIDI's web site at www.cidi.org. In addition, interested donors can visit www.interaction.org to obtain a list of credible responding agencies for international emergencies, and www.bbb.com and www.give.org to get valuable information on making informed decisions when supporting charities.

Since its inception in 1988, CIDI has worked with individuals, groups, embassies and corporations to provide information and guidance in support of appropriate international disaster relief. CIDI works with a variety of partners to channel the public's energy and desire to help achieve maximum impact. By reaching out to the American public and the private sector, CIDI helps to promote activities and donations that will do the most good for disaster victims around the world. For more information about CIDI and helping international victims, log on to CIDI's Web site at www.cidi.org, or call the Media Hotline at 703-276-2942.

Note to Editor:
To schedule an interview with a CIDI representative, please call CIDI's Media Hotline at 703-276-2942 or contact Trudy Wong-You at 202-944-3364.
For additional information regarding the Center for International Disaster Information and its training programs, please visit the web site at www.cidi.org or contact the Center at cidi@cidi.org.
CIDI News
Home