Guam, no stranger to earthquakes, sympathizes with the tragedy's victims. The 1993 Guam earthquake measured 8.1 in magnitude and millions of dollars of property damage was sustained but no lives were lost.

Public and community-based organizations are responding to the call for immediate relief to the affected areas in India, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Indonesia with contributions of money and supplies to head off any further calamities from lack of food, drinking water, shelters, and medical supplies for the survivors. Todate, Guam's ongoing relief efforts have multiplied and include the following:

1. Office of the First Lady Joann Camacho fund-raising drive to benefit American Red Cross International Relief Fund.

2. The Indian Community of Guam fund-raising drive through the auspices of the Indian Temple of Guam to help victims in India.

3. The Lieutenant Governor of Guam's office is also helping to accept donations. The office started its drive for funds and relief goods on New Year's Eve.

4. The Salvation Army (Guam branch) is collecting monetary contributions for the Salvation Army South Asia Disaster Fund.

5. The Guam Department of Education has sent out memos to schools and personnel inviting them to help raise funds for humanitarian assistance in the disaster-stricken countries. Funds collected will be given to the Guam chapter of the American Red Cross.

6. The Guam Micronesia Mission of Seventh Day Adventists is accepting monetary donations to help victims of the earthquake/tsunami affected countries through its Adventist Disaster Relief Agency.

7. Local Guam broadcast media company, KUAM, in cooperation with the American Red Cross, will host a pledge drive on several of its TV and radio channels next Monday evening, January 10 with proceeds going to the American Red Cross International Relief Fund.

Since the disaster struck south Asia on December 26, Guam's military and several private and civic bodies have responded voluntarily:

1. Local apparel retailer Gino's and the American Red Cross jointly collected $128,000 for the Tsunami/Earthquake Victims Care Relief Fund. Gino's owner, Roger Sachdev, an ethic Indian Guam resident, initiated the New Year weekend fund-raising campaign.

2. On New Year's Eve, Catholic Social Services, under the auspices of the Archdiocese of Guam, sent out appeals to local Catholic parishes, schools and organizations to organize monetary collections throughout January for relief aid.

3. On Dec 30, 2004, Andersen Air Force Base military command on Guam dispatched 50 servicemen of the 13th Air Force to Thailand to reinforce the humanitarian missions already started. The Air Force's disaster relief team is stationed in Utaphao, Thailand.

4. On Dec. 29, 2004, 5,000 military personnel of the U.S. Navy's Expeditionary Strike Group 5 cancelled their port visit to Guam and their New Year's holiday to bring aid and relief supplies to Sri Lanka. The USS Bon Homme Richard cut short its five-day port call and sailed on Dec 29. In memory and respect of the victims of those countries affected, the Governor of Guam had directed all local government agencies to observe a weeklong state of mourning and fly the national U.S and Guam flags at half-staff.

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For more information:

Ernie A. Galito, Deputy General Manager Guam Visitors Bureau Tel. 671-648-1484 Fax.671-646-8861