January 2009 Update

Hi. I hope this note finds everyone secure and happy.

Of course, the big news is that there was a terrible disaster in Haiti. The good news is that the world humanitarian community has responded appropriately: quickly and with huge resources. The news at MicroAid is that I will be heading back to Sri Lanka at the beginning of February to help the victims of the 2004 disaster who were left behind. I will be working on the projects there until the end of March.

As the recent earthquake has left a swath of devastation in Haiti, so much of the world’s attention and humanitarian resources are headed in that direction. Of course, we have to react to the disaster at hand, but it is important to remember those who remain in need in other places.

As you know, at MicroAid, we remain focused on victims of past disasters. You may recall that the 2004 tsunami in the Indian Ocean killed over 230,000 people in South and Southeast Asia, displaced millions more, and created tens of thousands of orphans.

In the future, MicroAid will help the people who get left behind in Haiti.

Currently we’re looking to help the victims of the tsunami, the victims of the cyclone in Burma, the victims of the typhoon in Taiwan, and the victims of the recent tsunami in Samoa. When all eyes are focused on the current tragedy, it’s hard to remember that all these major calamities happened just a short while ago, and there are still people in those places who need our help.

Since everyone’s compassion is so high, if you can, please donate to MicroAid so we can continue to help victims of past disasters. There are practically no other organizations doing this work. You can donate through the Microaid website.

Thank you so much.

Sincerely, Jon