PDA surpasses tsunami appeal goal

Plans call for five-year response effort, sending officials to Sri Lanka

by Evan Silverstein

LOUISVILLE - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has received $3.26 million in individual contributions for tsunami relief aid following the devastating Dec. 26 disaster in Southeast Asia.

The total means the disaster response arm of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has surpassed its tsunami aid goal of $2.5 million, which it set in an appeal issued in early January.

"The response has been a couple of things," Susan Ryan, PDA's coordinator, told the Presbyterian News Service. "It's been extremely heartening in how quick it was. It's been very heartening that individual Presbyterians know us, have confidence (in us), and gave directly and quickly. It has made all the difference in the world in our being able to make effective long-term plans and commitments on the ground at the early stages of this crisis."

As of Feb. 2, PDA had received the estimated $3.26 million for tsunami relief thanks to some 10,490 contributions from Presbyterians and other individuals since late December, according to Steve Sexton, manager of the PC (USA)'s Central Receiving Service, which processes the contributions.

Gifts from congregations and presbyteries are currently not reflected in the official total, but Sexton is estimating such giving at $595,642.

Tsunami relief money started rolling in immediately after a magnitude 9 earthquake off the coast of the island of Sumatra, Indonesia, sent massive waves inland that ripped across the Indian Ocean, slamming a dozen nations and killing tens of thousands.