FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

DEVASTATED BY TSUNAMI, ASIAN YMCAs HELPING OTHERS RECOVER

While YMCAs worldwide initiate major fundraising drive

Chicago, January 12, 2005 - With some 500 local YMCAs in the South and Southeast Asia region, many Ys were extensively damaged or destroyed on December 26, at least one senior YMCA official was "washed away," and many YMCA staffers lost homes and loved ones. But despite physical and emotional wounds, YMCA staffers have returned to the work they do best. From their own ruined facilities, they're providing emergency relief to survivors, reaching out to protect orphaned children, and helping their communities get back on their feet.

"For more than a century and a half, YMCAs, with an active presence in more than 120 countries, have been devoted to children, families and community," said Kenneth L. Gladish, Ph.D. Gladish is national executive director, YMCA of the USA, which began major fundraising for Tsunami victims within hours after the staggering tragedy became fully known. "The YMCAs received a Nobel Peace Prize in 1946 for their World War II relief work," Gladish said, "and it goes without saying that they would show the same spirit, energy, and compassion during this monumental disaster."

In Galle, Sri Lanka, for example, a YMCA orphans center is being established to provide long-term support for orphaned youth and children. Meanwhile, international YMCA workers have been training teams of young Sri Lankans to provide emergency outreach, ranging from first aid to rebuilding efforts.

In India, YMCA staff have set up mobile clinics and distributed medicine, food, bedding, emergency lighting and funds. In Bangkok and Chiangmai, Thailand, and in Medan, Indonesia, undamaged YMCAs have also provided major relief services and funds to shattered communities along their nations' seacoasts.

When the Tsunami struck, YMCA staff and volunteers in coastal towns in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and India, were able to communicate the extent of the devastation and need to colleagues in their regional and national headquarters. Through this network of YMCAs, local staff and volunteers were able to mobilize emergency relief to survivors within hours of the devastating events, initiating a worldwide YMCA response to support efforts on the disaster's front lines. And YMCA volunteers have been working closely with local and national governments and with international agencies such as the Red Cross and UNICEF.

Rebecca Bailey Wright, an American YMCA volunteer completing a year's work in Sri Lanka acknowledged sadly that "many members of the YMCA leadership in the East have lost family members and friends. [While we] … keep them and all who have been affected in our thoughts and prayers, we are actively providing immediate relief to communities in need … [distributing] dry rations, baby milk, clothing, women's clothing, baby bottles, and so forth [from our] suffering YMCAs." Wright remains concerned about the possibility that a wave of disease will sweep survivors, next. "We can only hope that our attempts at preventions and cures are strong enough and plentiful enough to fight nature," she says, "preventing more loss of life."

"For the mid- to long term," said her husband, Joel Wright, "…[we are also] focusing on our strengths - delivering programs for children, youth and families, providing a form of escape and normalcy as well as organizing "self help" projects for people … rebuilding homes and supplies. Yes, a big, momentous task," Wright said." The couple come from Silver Bay, New York.

Back in the U.S., American YMCAs have pledged an initial $100,000 toward an international $500,000 fundraising effort destined for YMCAs and their communities in the afflicted area. Currently touring Sri Lanka and India, General Secretary of the Asian Alliance of YMCAs, Yip Kok Choong, offers hope that, "the outpouring of human compassion and unity fostered by this tragic phenomenon …will continue to urge us to greater peaceful cooperation for the common good of all. We pray these tragic days will lead to truly unite humankind, and that love, justice and peace will continue to reign supreme in our lives."

For more information on the fund enabling YMCA relief and recovery work in nations afflicted by the Tsunami, visit www.ymcaworldservice.org

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