May 30, 2006
Last week, two calamities struck the villages in two Southeast Asian countries. In Thailand, a great flood occured in the northern part, affecting many farmers, some of whom are members of Sor Kor Por, an AFA member. In Yogyakarta, Indonesia, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck, killing 6,200 people, injuring and displacing a hundred thousand others. For Indonesians, it is the third major catastrophe in only 1.5 years!
It pains us to hear that fellow Asians and farmers are suffering again from these natural disasters. May the victims find solace and strength in the belief that God is still with them, through the various individuals and organizations currently responding to their needs. We pray for speedy relief and rehabilitation for those affected. We thank the many governments and international aid organizations who have acted quickly to help the victims.
AFA and AsiaDHRRA members in Thailand (Sor Kor Por and ThaiDHHRA) and Indonesia (Aliansi Petani Indonesia and Sekretariat Bina Desa) are pooling resources and initiating efforts to help their constituencies in the affected areas. We encourage each one to send/pledge contributions either (depending on which is more convenient): (1) directly to the organizations above or (2) to the AsiaDHRRA/AFA offices.
Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA)
Asian Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia (AsiaDHRRA)
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