East-West Center's Response to the Asia Tsunami

Looking Back Over the Year and Moving Forward

East-West Center

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE


Dear Friends:

On this first year anniversary of the December 26 earthquake and tsunami, we take time to reflect on the enormous impact, both in terms of the devastating loss of life and destruction and the amazing resilience of spirit and international cooperation that has sprung from this tragedy. More than 225,000 people perished in 13 countries along the Indian Ocean. In the 45 years since the East-West Center was established, the Asia Pacific region has not seen such widespread suffering as a result of a single, catastrophic event.

Although a quarter of the world away in Honolulu, we at the East-West Center were deeply affected by the disaster. We have been working with the nations and peoples of the Asia Pacific region for almost half a century, providing educational exchange opportunities and conducting collaborative research projects. Given the Center's long and close connections with the societies ravaged by the tsunami, our students, alumni, friends and staff have been personally touched by this tragedy. One of our current students lost more than 100 relatives.

In the days and weeks following the tsunami, we showed how large and caring our East-West Center family truly is. We immediately established an aid and rebuilding fund and on January 2 held what may have been the first concert in the United States entirely devoted to the tsunami relief. The residents of Hawai‘i responded with generous financial support, as did our alumni chapters around the region and the public schools we work with across the United States.

The East-West Center Tsunami Relief Fund generated more than $500,000, which benefited organizations in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. We supported organizations that worked effectively on the ground with disaster victims and had little fund-raising capability abroad. Initially, funds were given to short-term relief efforts; now we are working closely with institutions to provide long-term support through our education and research programs.

The impacted communities continue to face enormous on-going reconstruction challenges. The East-West Center reaches out to the region as an effective partner, assisting with reconstruction efforts and preparation against future disasters. Now we look towards the courage of the survivors throughout the Indian Ocean region as they find new hope and rebuild their lives. Their resilience and determination are an inspiration for our continued work in promoting an Asia Pacific community.

This past year, the Center has also been involved in supporting victims of the Katrina disaster and the devastating earthquake in Pakistan and India. We want to thank you again for your generous help and continued support for the region.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Morrison
President, East-West Center

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East-West Center | 1601 East-West Road | Honolulu, Hawaii 96848 | USA | Established 1960