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"Giving Children a Living Chance"

  
 
Carlsbad Office
Phone & Email:
  760-930-9085(fax)
  760-930-8001(phone)
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Addresses:
Street Address
  2270 Camino Vida Roble #D
  Carlsbad, CA 92009
P.O. Box (For Donations)
  P.O. Box 131570
  Carlsbad, CA 92013
   
FAX: Press Release 1/12/05
While an army of aid workers raced to deliver life-saving supplies to millions of tsunami victims in need, World Emergency Relief's own Gary Becks and Andrea Stone of San Diego, CA were among the laborers.

World Emergency Relief's Board member, Gary Becks and disaster team leader, Andrea Stone, traveled to Thailand and Sri Lanka to complete a disaster assessment for WER. They worked tirelessly providing direct relief to the victims of the December 26th Tsunami in South Asia.

Initially the WER team arrived in Thailand to coordinate the distribution of medical supplies for victims at a local disaster assistance center. While in the country, they also connected with high government officials and established supply pipelines for two program partners, including the Rotary Club of Phuket. These contacts will be used to further distribute needed goods into the communities.

After working with the chief coroner in Pang Nga, WER funds were used by our team to purchase local supplies desperately needed by resuce teams. The needs included infection-resistant boots for the local coroner's staff to protect them from contamination from the numerous bodies they are working to identify and lay to rest. WER also purchased Hall's cough drops for the coroner's office workers. The strength of the cough drops enables the workers to handle extreme odors so they can complete their jobs.

In Thailand our team set up local committees and volunteers to assist with immediate and expected long term assistance. WER provided relief on the ground in many ways including on full size truck filled with medicines and non-perscription medicines purchased and delivered to disaster zones.

In Sri Lanka our team was able to provide some direct financial relief to survivors. We established relationships with the local government and some foundations that will function as consignees for future relief shipments to the country.

Stone and Becks met with the Prime Minister and donated funds to his foundation for orphans. Although the foundation existed before the tsunami, the WER donation will assist with foster care and eventual internal adoption for the children victimized by the tsunami. Stone and Becks are returning Wednesday, January 12, 2005 on American Eagle Flight #3083 at 3:58PM.

WER's job has only just begun in helping those victimized by the tsunami. We will continue our support by sending needed supplies and working to redevelop communities that were devestated by the tsunami.