WSU responds to China, Myanmar relief efforts

May 27, 2008

By Communications staff, Washington State University

Natural disasters in China and Myanmar this past month have left more than 200,000 people dead, with millions of others injured and in need of aid and housing.

Washington State University is working with the state and university’s Combined Fund Drive to provide concerned faculty, staff and students with a convenient and safe way to select a charity through which to support relief efforts.

CFD charities working
in China and Myanmar

People interested in giving through WSU’s Combined Fund Drive can give to one or more of the following charities that are established in the China and Myanmar area:

·
Global Impact. Founded in 956, it supports more than 50 U.S.-based international charities providing disaster relief, health care, education and economic opportunities to the world’s poorest people. Administrative cost: 3.80%

·

International Relief. Sends medical and construction teams to assist disaster victims worldwide conducts medical, surgical, and training programs to promote self-sufficiency in developing nations. Administrative cost: 1.70

·
AmeriCares Foundation, Inc.
A nonprofit disaster relief and medical assistance organization, providing help and hope for all people irrespective of race, creed or political persuasion. Administrative cost: 0.90%

·

World Vision. Relief and development organization helping children worldwide by tackling causes of poverty and developing access to clean water, food, health care, education, and economic opportunity. Administrative costs: 13.40%

·

Doctors Without Borders USA, Inc. An international independent medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by war, epidemics, natural and manmade disasters, in more than 70 countries. Administrative cost: 12.70%

·

Mercy Corps International. A nonprofit international relief and development agency that exists to alleviate suffering, poverty and oppression by helping people build secure, productive and just communities. Administrative cost: 11.10%

·

UNICEF, United States Fund for International Relief and Development. Works for the survival, protection and development of children worldwide though fundraising, education and advocacy. Administrative cost: 9.60%

“The recent cyclone in Myanmar and the earthquake in southwestern China have caused suffering on a massive scale, which the world is witnessing daily via the media and Internet,” said WSU President Elson S. Floyd. “More than 200,000 people have been killed, with millions of others injured and homeless. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.

“As a university with employees and students who study, research and volunteer globally, Washington State University wants to provide its faculty and staff with an outlet to express their concern and compassion. To that end, we are working with the Combined Fund Drive to provide a list of reputable agencies through which to reach out and provide support. We encourage members of the WSU community to consider a contribution to these agencies as a way they can make a difference.”

Cyclone Nargis slammed into Myanmar, formerly known as Burma, on May 2-3. Emergency workers, as of May 27, estimated the death toll at 133,000, with another 2.5 million people homeless and in need of immediate aid, according to a CNN report.

On May 12, an earthquake measuring 7.9 in magnitude, shook the Sichuan province in southwestern China, causing homes, apartment blocks and buildings to collapse. As of May 27, the death toll was at 67,183, with 20,790 missing, 300,000 hurt and approximately 5.4 million homeless.

The Chinese government sent out an international appeal for help. With housing as the first priority, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said, “We need more than 3.3 million tents.”

Myanmar’s ruling junta agreed Friday, May 23, to “allow all aid workers regardless of nationalities” into the country to help cyclone survivors, according to U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

Selecting a reputable charity

Giving through a reputable charity is important. Randy Ryan, program manager for Washington’s Combined Fund Drive, said, “The Combined Fund Drive works with the Secretary of State to insure the charities accepted into the CFD campaign are registered to do nonprofit work in the state of Washington. The CFD also screens all the charities before they are accepted into the state campaign.

“Funds raised through the CFD are some of the most efficient dollars contributed to nonprofit organizations. Charities also appreciate the cost efficiency of receiving one consolidated check from many workplace giving campaigns.”

Laura Lahne
, co-coordinator of WSU’s CFD, agreed, “The CFD program allows these charities to receive one check, rather than having to handle hundreds or thousands of checks and provide statements and responses to individuals. It allows them to focus more on the relief work.”

Lahne said that if a person is an established contributor to CFD, through a payroll deduction plan or earlier donation, but wants to make a “separate” contribution to a specific relief effort, he or she needs to send in a form. “People should fill out a paper donation form and intercampus mail it to our office. Then, we will make sure that their contribution goes to the specific agency and relief effort that they have designated.”

To make a separate donation through WSU’s CFD program, go online to
www.cfd.wsu.edu
, click on the “Make a Donation” link/button near the bottom of that page, then click on the “Contribution Form” button. Next, print out the Contribution form and mail it to: Combined Fund Drive; 212 Smith Gym; Pullman WA 99164-1420. Use agency code 365.

For more information about WSU’s CFD fund or the charities listed, go to
www.cfd.wsu.edu
, or contact Laura Lahne, CFD co-coordinator, 335-0577, or e-mail
lahne@wsu.edu
.