The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) International has committed US$500,000 of private funds as part of the agency’s initial response to the recent Asian earthquake and tsunamis that killed more than 123,000 and devastated the region.

"At this time, ADRA is on the ground in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and India responding to and assessing the damages," said Frank Teeuwen, bureau chief for disaster preparedness and response for ADRA International.

In Phuket Province, Thailand ADRA is working with a local hospital to distribute personal care packages and provide relief assistance to nearly 3,000 people. In India, ADRA is providing shelter, blankets, drinking water, water containers, chlorine tablets and mosquito nets. Non-food items (like blankets, clothing, and shelter materials) are being distributed in Indonesia and the Andaman Islands.

"ADRA’s initial commitment of US$500,000 to respond to this disaster is a statement of our concern for and desire to help survivors of this terrible tragedy," said Byron Scheuneman, vide president and chief financial officer for ADRA International. "We are confident that our donors will respond and ADRA will be able to provide even more assistance from private donations."

ADRA International is urgently soliciting emergency donations for this response. To rapidly respond to this disaster only monetary donations are being accepted at this time. Donations can be made to the Asia Tsunami Crisis Fund online from http://www.adra.org/Donation.html

With headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland (USA), and a presence in more than 120 countries, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA), is the worldwide humanitarian ARM of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Established for the specific purposes of individual and community development and disaster relief, ADRA International fulfils this primary directive of its charter without regard to race, gender, political or religious affiliation.