Urgent Action Appeal
29 December 2004: Solidarity Assistance requested for EI Tsunami Relief Program
Education International has made emergency funds available to enable member organisations in countries around the Indian Ocean to assist teachers and their families hit by the tsunamis on 26 December.
According to the International Red Cross the death toll among the coastal communities could exceed 100,000. Most victims have fallen in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. Bangladesh, Burma, Malaysia and Maldives Island are also seriously affected, as well as countries in East Africa, including Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia and Tanzania. Several millions of people are lacking food, water, and health care to survive.
EI member organisations in South East Asia look after the interest of 7.1 million teachers . We estimate that more than 10,000 teachers, directly or indirectly affected by the disaster, may need humanitarian assistance. With help of Education International their unions will be able to provide such aid. On 28 December we have allocated an amount of € 30,000 for relief programs in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India. The EI regional office in Kuala Lumpur is consulting with the member unions in these countries on the implementation of these programs and the distribution of funds.
More funds are needed.
We call upon all member organisations to contribute to the EI Solidarity Fund for this purpose. Amounts can be transferred to:
Education International
Solidarity Fund
Tsunami Relief Program
Account number:310-100-6170-75B
Bank name: ING Belgium
Bank address: 1, Rue du Trone, 1000 Brussels, BELGIUM
IBAN Code: BE05 3101 0061 7075
SWIFT code: BB RUBE BB 100
After 5 January you may wish to visit www.ei-ie.org for more information about the work of EI member unions in the disaster areas.
Thank you for your solidarity.
Yours sincerely,
Fred van Leeuwen
General Secretary