Charity Commits $1M to Help Tsunami Survivors in Long Term

Heifer International, an organization working to end world hunger, has committed $1 million for programs that will help tsunami victims in South and Southeast Asia rebuild their lives over the long term.

"After the important relief efforts ensure the victims' immediate survival, Heifer International will reach out to help families in communities to rebuild their lives and livelihoods for the years to come," said Jo Luck, chief executive officer and president of Heifer International. "What families need now is hope for the future."

Over the next few years, Heifer's Indonesia staffers and partner organizations will work together to rebuild agricultural production, increase family incomes and support housing, education and public health efforts. The programs will provide training, livestock and related aid to tsunami survivors and farms on the coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra and elsewhere in the region.

For more than 60 years, Heifer International has worked with small farming communities to end hunger and poverty with its unique approach: providing food- and income-producing animals and training to millions of resource-poor families, thereby helping entire communities become self-reliant.

First, Heifer helps a community group analyze its situation. It asks: What do you need? What are your resources? What would you like to see happen in five years? With Heifer's help, the community plans specific activities to achieve its goals.

Farmers then prepare for their animals' arrival by participating in training sessions, building sheds and planting trees and grasses. Then the livestock arrives, providing milk, wool, draft power, eggs and other resources.

All families that receive assistance from Heifer promise to repay their "living loans" by donating one or more of their animals' offspring to another family in need in their community. This practice of "passing on the gift" ensures project sustainability, develops a sense of community and enhances self-esteem by enabling project partners to become donors.

Heifer's approach is to end hunger and poverty one family and one animal at a time. Its work is designed to bring about long-term self-reliance rather than temporary relief. The organization operates in 50 nations, including the United States. - NU