News Releases for January 2005
January 05, 2005
Contact: Rich Allen, President, VOAD, (701) 240-2461
Hoeven, First Lady Mikey Join North Dakota Disaster Relief Agencies To Request Tsunami Monetary Donations
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today encouraged North Dakotans to send cash donations for tsunami relief efforts to member organizations of the North Dakota Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD).
“The hearts and prayers of North Dakotans go out to the victims and families affected by last week’s tragic tsunami and earthquake in the Indian Ocean,” Hoeven said. “At the same time, we need to bring real and tangible relief to those who are still suffering in the aftermath of the disaster. First Lady Mikey and I are encouraging North Dakotans to participate in this effort to help by sending donations to the Red Cross, Salvation Army or any one of the many religious and public charitable organizations that belong to VOAD.”
Monetary donations received by North Dakota’s VOAD member organizations will allow relief agencies to provide specific emergency aid to disaster survivors in an efficient manner, according to Hoeven. Cash donations will enable better management and coordination of an emergency response, helping relief agencies to provide quick restoration of services to provide medical treatment, feed survivors and rebuild communities affected by the tsunami and earthquake.
“The North Dakota VOAD executive committee asks that you keep these survivors in your thoughts and prayers as you search your hearts for your gifts,” said Rich Allen, president of the North Dakota VOAD.
Cash donations can be sent to VOAD member organizations (www.nvoad.org) or to a list of humanitarian organizations provided by Bush administration officials at www.whitehouse.gov/infocus/tsunami/
Please specify that the donations are for tsunami survivors in the rim countries surrounding the Indian Ocean. The announcement follows recent reports of an estimated death toll exceeding 150,000 with expectations that it would continue to rise, as more bodies are found in the hardest-hit areas and survivors fall prey to disease.
U.N. officials said a prime concern was the "tsunami generation" of children who have been orphaned by the disaster. The need for financial assistance, the best possible means of assisting relief efforts for tsunami survivors, will steadily increase in the days and weeks ahead.
E-mail comments to the Governor
