January 7, 2005

Ways for MGHers to support
tsunami relief efforts

As newscasts replay the devastating aftermath of the powerful earthquake and tsunami that hit southern Asia and eastern Africa Dec. 26, members of the MGH community have expressed strong interest in helping the survivors by offering to send money or in-kind items such as food or clothing.

Because there are many reputable relief organizations that currently are providing much-needed aid and services in these devastated areas, the hospital encourages employees and others who want to help to do so through already-established avenues such as the organizations listed below.

The following two organizations are supporters of the MGH's Durant Fellowship program and are providing immediate aid to victims affected by the tsunami.

• The American Refugee Committee
  (800) 875-7060
  www.archq.org
• Concern Worldwide, Inc.
  (800) 59-CONCERN
  www.concern.net
  

In addition, the American Red Cross and Oxfam have sent personnel to help in the relief efforts and develop distribution systems for the supplies that are being delivered into that region.

• American Red Cross
  1-800-HELP-NOW
  (1-800-435-7669)
  www.redcross.org
• Oxfam America
  (800)77-OXFAM (800-776-9326)
  www.oxfamamerica.org

The MGH is considering the establishment of a fund to which employees and staff can make donations that would then be transferred to the appropriate relief organizations. If such a fund is created, more information about how to make contributions will be given at that time.

Many MGHers also have asked if the clinicians who are members of the International Medical Surgical Response Team (IMSuRT), which is led by Susan Briggs, MD, of MGH Surgery, have been or will be deployed to help provide emergency medical services to the tsunami survivors. According to Briggs, the state and federal departments that deploy emergency medical personnel have not requested IMSuRT to respond to this crisis. The emergency response that is needed at this time is mostly for medical equipment and supplies. The area hospitals were not destroyed by the tsunami, and the U.S. military is providing the medical personnel needed to aid the survivors.

For employees, staff, volunteers, patients and visitors who would like to come together to remember those who have been affected during this horrific catastrophe, the MGH Chaplaincy and MGH Administration will be hosting a prayer service Jan. 10, from noon to 12:30 pm in the O'Keeffe Auditorium.