Tsunami Aid

Indonesia’s National Federation of Peasant Organizations (FSPI) and Sri Lanka’s National Organization of Fisherfolk (NAFSO) have organized rescue and relief teams in Aceh and North Sumatra Indonesia and in isolated communities in Sri Lanka. Other local organizations of fisherpeople, farmers, and indigenous people around the rim of the Indian Ocean are launching similar efforts in their own home towns.

With decades of community work, they have built strong, representative membership organizations in their communities. These organizations can make sure aid is used not to deepen poverty and dependency, but to build viable rural livelihoods. Their on-the-ground networks make them good candidates to relieve logistical bottlenecks and navigate complex politics; they have an agility and a knowledge of the local scene that no international aid organization can match. Grassroots International, with over 20 years of experience in progressive international development and human rights work is proud to support their life-giving and social change efforts.

To support these village-level relief and reconstruction efforts with an online donation to Grassroots International, click here. Make sure to include the word Tsunami in the memo line.

FSPI and NAFSO are members of the Via Campesina, the global alliance of peasant, family farmer, farm worker, indigenous and landless peoples organizations, and other rural movements. The Via Campesina has asked Grassroots International to help provide emergency support to their member organizations.

You can donate online or by check or phone (call 617.524.1400 to find out how).

As the relief and reconstruction work continues, we will bring you updates from the field. Check back here at Grassroots Journal for the latest information.