AN IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM ROBERT JERESKI [Ran for Congress in NYCs 14th Congressional District and was a volunteer/supporter of Kucinich 2004] ... HELP FOR VICTIMS OF THE TSUNAMI & EARTHQUAKE

As many of you know, I used to serve as the Executive Director of the International Forum for Aceh, a human rights organization, focused on a region of Indonesian, suffering for decades from a civil conflict. Today Aceh - the region closest to the epicenter of the force 9.0 earthquake which struck last weekend - has been devastated by the forces of nature and is in dire need of your help. My contacts on the ground there report that the government has only recently allowed aid to enter and that no needs assessments have yet been conducted by aid organizations. The U.N. has estimated that casualties in Indonesia are the worst of any country and that the death toll in Aceh may reach 80,000.

You have heard about some international aid organizations which are planning to provide humanitarian aid. But I would like to let you know about a coalition of local grassroots organizations which are staffed by dedicated, intelligent and experienced Acehnese humanitarian relief workers and which is doing relief work in Aceh. Please, if you haven't yet made a contribution to help victims of the recent tsunami and earthquake, consider supporting this coalition of local organizations. A dollar you give to them will go much farther than a dollar to major aid organizations, with their high administrative and (other) overhead costs. In peace and solidarity ... Robert Jereski [fmr. Executive Director of International Forum for Aceh]

P.S. Below is a statement regarding this new coalition of local organizations. Please forward to networks.
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Dear Friends,

Many of you will have heard about the terrible earthquake and tsunami which has devastated Aceh and Northern Sumatra in Indonesia. Indonesian NGOs including WALHI Friends of the Earth Indonesia have established the Indonesian Civil Society Coalition for the Victims of Earthquake and Tsunami to provide aid to the victims. We have set up crisis centers in Jakarta and Medan, North Sumatra.

SHATTERED COMMUNITIES NEED YOUR HELP! Hundreds of impoverished coastal communities have been destroyed, and a humanitarian disaster can only be averted through a generous international donation response. The Indonesian Civil Society Coalition for the Victims of Earthquake and Tsunami is appealing for donations from members of the public abroad, as well as within Indonesia. All funds received by WALHI for the Coalition appeal will be allocated for emergency response as well as the post-emergency phase of rebuilding and restoration of shattered livelihoods. Please note that we can only receive financial donations from abroad for logistical reasons.

The Medan and Jakarta Crisis Centers collect funds and enlist volunteers in coordination with local organizations. Funds and resources are mobilized by local organizations based in North Sumatera and Aceh. The latest information on our activities and needs, as well as developments on disaster spots will be provided in the form of daily updates in the English website of WALHI-Friends of the Earth Indonesia. Go to http://www.walhi.or.id and click English at top menu. Please send your donations to:

Name on Account : Wahana Lingkungan Hidup Indonesia
Account No. : 3-000026-173
Name of Bank : Citibank
Branch : Menara Citibank
Address : Jln. Metro Pondok Indah Kavling II/BA, No. 1, Jakarta, INDONESIA
Swift Code : CITI IDJX

For further information, please contact Ovi or Estee at:
WALHI-Friends of the Earth Indonesia
National Office/Crisis Center
Jl. Tegal Parang Utara No.14
Jakarta Selatan 12790
INDONESIA
HOTLINE : +62-21-794 1672
Daily updates available at: http://www.eng.walhi.or.id
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The Indonesian Forum for Environment (WALHI - Friends of the Earth Indonesia) is the largest forum of environmental and social NGOs, community organisations, and student environment groups in Indonesia with 25 regional representations in 25 provinces and over 430 member organisations. www.walhi.or.id

QUOTE OF THE DAY ... When liberty is taken away by force it can be restored by force. When it is relinquished voluntarily by default, it can never be recovered. Dorothy Thompson

FROM FELLOW KUCITIZEN ... PETER C ... TSUNAMI ASSISTANCE DONATIONS INFORMATION ... The following aid agencies are accepting contributions for assistance that they or their affiliates will provide for those affected by Sunday's earthquake and tsunami.

AmeriCares
88 Hamilton Ave.
Stamford, CT 06902
800-486-4357
www.americares.org

American Friends Service Committee
1501 Cherry St.
Philadelphia, PA
215-241-7000
www.afsc.org

American Red Cross
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, DC 20013
800-HELP-NOW
www.redcross.org

CARE
1-800-521-CARE (2273)
www.care.org

Doctors Without Borders
1-888-392-0392

Oxfam America Asian Earthquake Fund
PO Box 1211
Albert Lea, MN 56007-1211
800-77-OXFAM
www.oxfamamerica.org

UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund)
http://www.unicef.org/