Associations respond in wake of tsunami.

December's earthquake and tsunami disaster evoked an unprecedented world response in terms of charitable giving and relief efforts. As of January 26, 2005, Americans had donated more than $597 million to relief charities, according to the Chronicle of Philanthropy.

Though it proved impossible to get a fix on the financial contribution flowing from the association community as a whole, we do know that many associations, including ASAE, turned to larger relief organizations, such as USA Freedom Corps and the Red Cross, as contacts for collecting monetary donations. In its fundraising campaign, ASAE raised $10,832.25 from staff, which the association matched.

But the community response has gone far beyond financial contributions. As the long-term rebuilding effort begins across Eastern Africa and Southern and Southeastern Asia, several organizations are exploring ways to help--or have already initiated activities that add value to ongoing relief efforts.

Take the American Institute of Architects, Washington, D.C., as an example. On January 11, 2005, 16 days after the disaster, AIA summoned all local construction and architectural industry associations to its boardroom to discuss response programs. Seventeen associations participated, sharing their thoughts on appropriate responses and methods of providing aid, says David T. Downey, CAE, managing director of AIA's Center for Communities by Design.

Several listserver discussions and two meetings later, AIA has submitted a proposal on damage assessment and available industry resources to the United States Agency for International Development. AIA also wrote a proposal specifically geared toward construction-related charities such as Habitat for Humanity and Mercy Corps, detailing the programs and services architects are able to provide to the relief effort. In addition, AIA remains actively involved in coordinating relief efforts with its overseas counterparts.

Specialized industries, such as construction and sanitation, are two areas where expertise is strongly needed. The American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, Virginia, in cooperation with the Institution of Civil Engineers, London, sent three technical teams to Southern Asia to study the damage resulting from the earthquake and tsunami and investigate the specific causes of failure in some structures and the elements that allowed some structures to survive. This information will be used to "provide information to engineers, scientists, and planners who must make informed decisions about the means for minimizing future damage and loss of life," writes ASCE board member John Headland in his field report from Sri Lanka.

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Downey advises all associations looking to donate their services to make contact with larger organizations such as CARE, UNICEF, or InterAction and find out specifically what resources are still needed and how they can help provide them, as attempting to coordinate such efforts alone would not be easy.

For more information on tsunami disaster relief, visit the following Web sites:

* www.care.org

* www.catholicrelief.org

* www.interaction.org

* www.usafreedomcorps.gov

* www.usaid.gov

* www.unicef.org