SUMMARY
I understand there have been problems and issues in regards to the past Hurricane
Mitch and Colombian Earthquake relief efforts. It is inevitable that similar
catastrophes will occur throughout Latin America in the near future. I believe
all the Latin American consulates and specific organizations should organize
a task force to prepare for fundraising efforts - TO AVOID SCRAMBLING at
the last minute EVERY TIME. Hurricane Mitch took place only in November
1998 - supplies are still rotting away in warehouses! I really get irritated
when AVOIDABLE ERRORS take place that affect children who need our assistance.
- The Latino
Community is well-known for being disorganized and not willing to work with each
other. (Crabs in a barrel). We should forget our differences and learn to work
together immediately - children starve and die because supplies do not reach
them in time. This is unforgiveable and completely avoidable. I appreciate your
comments. Please contact me anytime. Gracias.
- Following is a SUGGESTED CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR A TASK FORCE to prepare
for relief efforts for inevitable future catastrophes throughout Latin America.
I believe the following is VERY FEASIBLE.
COMMITTEE
Select
a task force committee and a leader that would meet regularly throughout the
year. The leader will call emergency meetings within hours of the announcement
of a major catastrophe.
I suggest
we contact experts such as retired professionals and executives with the willingness,
time, and expertise to manage such efforts. Also, include future community leaders
such as college students. Their involvement and energy will allow them to contribute
greatly, network with influential community leaders, and gain valuable experience.
FUND-RAISING
Organize
fund-raising events throughout the year such as Latino Professional Socials,
dances, contests, to collect funds and BUILD a database of volunteers
and benefactors. Also collect items for raffles and auctions at fund-raising
events.
- Make arrangements
with various Bay Area community organizations, corporations, universities, schools,
media, entertainment venues and resources, etc, to organize, promote and host
fund-raising events within 72 hours of a catastrophe. It is usually more effective
to organize LARGE, sponsored and well-attended events instead of small,
and potentially poorly-attended events.
- Make arrangements
with nonprofit organizations such as the Red Cross and other philanthropic foundations,
to provide funds within 24 hours of a catastrophe.
INFORMATION
Make
available a website which would serve as a central location to distribute the CORRECT information
about relief efforts. It would include lists of contact people at: consulates,
airlines, shipping and warehouses, Media-radio, television, newspapers, magazines,
music bands, ethnic dance groups, singers, celebrities, universities, schools,
community organizations, etc.. Build a database of emails and contacts to spread
information through the media and especially the Internet. Also collect information
of doctors, engineers, and other volunteers willing to travel to help the needy
throughout Latin America.
WAREHOUSES
Make
arangements with the US Army, canned food companies, water filtration equipment
companies, medical supply and medicine companies, etc, to supply warehouses on
a regular basis with essential supplies - to be shipped within 24 hours of a
catastrophe.
- For example,
30 to 50% of available equipment and supplies in the warehouses could be shipped
within 24 hours of a catastrophe. A percentage of equipment and supplies must
remain in the warehouses in case multiple catastrophes strike within short periods
of time from each other. (example: Hurricane Mitch - November 7, 1998; Colombia
Earthquake - January 26, 1999.)
SHIPPING
Make
arangements with ALL Latin American and US airlines and shipping companies to
send supplies within 24 hours of a catastrophe for FREE or at DISCOUNT rates.
DISTRIBUTION
Make arrangements
with governments throughout Latin America - to have people receive and distribute
the supplies and $$. I realize this may be difficult considering there is so
much corruption and graft. The United Nations must have such contacts.
MEDIA
Make
arrangements with local and international media sources to report the effectiveness
and results of the relief efforts.
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Bay
Area Relief Efforts Resources |
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American Red
Cross Bay Area Chapter, 888 443-5722
San Jose American
Red Cross - Santa Clara Valley Chapter
Donations: please make checks payable to American Red Cross-El Salvador
2731 No First St, San Jose, CA 95134, 408 577-2114,
donations online (secure transactions): www.redcross.org/ca/scv
The American
Rescue Team International, PO Box 489, Alameda, 94501 CA
510 523-5493, amerrescue@aol.com, www.amerrescue.org/elsalvador/ |
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El
Salvador Earthquake (January 13, 2001) Relief Efforts Resources
Rev: 01/29/01 |
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Suggestion: Use
Internet Search Engines such as: yahoo.com, excite.com,
and google.com,
and submit key words (El Salvador Earthquake, Relief Efforts, Aid, etc.) to obtain
information.
The Central American Working Group at Stanford's Center for Latin America Studies
We are collecting money and wiring funds straight to El Salvador, to non-governmental
organizations we have worked with in the past. The money will be channeled directly
and immediately to communities in a non-political, just, and effective manner.
Please make checks payable to: LAS Central Am AYUDA
Send to: Central American Working Group, 582 Alvarado Row, Stanford, CA, 94305-8545.
info eisner11@stanford.edu
www.stanford.edu/group/las/cenamwkgp.html
Resources
courtesy of The Consulate of El Salvador in San Francisco
The Embassy of El Salvador once again appreciates the solidarity
of individuals willing to help the victims of the earthquake that struck El Salvador
on January 13, 2001.
Consul
General of El Salvador, 870
Market St, Ste 508, 415 781-7924
Embassy
of El Salvador, 2308 California St, N.W. Washington, DC, 202 265-9671
Beginning on January 14, only financial donations will be accepted. Monetary
donations can be made to: In El Salvador:
To El Comite Financiero de Solidaridad (COMFISOL), to the following bank accounts:
- Banco Salvadoreno #COMFISOL 024-540020989
- Banco Agricola Comercial #COMFISOL 303-002002-3
- Wells Fargo Bank, El Salvador Quake Relief #0047-98-3473
In the USA:
- American Red Cross, 1-800-HELP-NOW
American Red Cross/International Fund/Earmark: El Salvador
Due to the nature of this emergency and the international disaster relief efforts
procedures, we do not recommend storing or sending supplies, such as clothing
and food. Such items can be obtained in El Salvador with your financial donations.
Persons who are interested in obtaining information about your relatives in El
Salvador can contact the following organizations:
- Comite Nacional Solidario (CONASOL), 503 243-3182
- Salvadorean Red Cross, 503 222-5155
- US Embassy (relating to US citizens) 503 278-4444The committee has established
the following Bay Area locations to collect financial donations.
Direct deposits can be made at any Wells Fargo Bank throughout the US.
In San Francisco:
M-F, 8 am-4 pm, Consulate of El Salvador, 870 Market St, Ste 508, 415 781-7924
(The consulate is functioning in a state of emergency until the situation subsides
in El Salvador)
M-F, 5-10 pm, Presbyterian Church of the Mission, 3261 23rd St, 415 647-8295
In Marin County:
M-F, 5-10 pm, St. Rafael Archangel Church, 110 45th Ave
Resources in El
Salvador:
Guanacosonline.com | radioguanaco.com
El Comite Nacional Solidario, CONASOL, 503 243-3182
Cruz Roja Salvadorena, 503 222-5155
Lista de fallecidos identificados, www.elsalvador.com/noticias/terremoto/nacio5.html
El Diario de Hoy, www.elsalvador.com/noticias/index.html
Adminet El Salvador, government links, www.admi.net/world/sv/
Catholic Relief Services, www.catholicrelief.org/where/el_salvador/index.cfm |
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