For Information Contact
    
               Jay Copp
               630-571-5466 Ext. 386
               jcopp@lionsclubs.org
     
 Melitta J. Cutright
        630-571-5466 Ext. 327
             mcutrigh@lionsclubs.org

For Immediate Release

Lions Clubs International Pledge $5 Million to Tsunami Victims Funding Supports Hands-on Relief and Rebuilding Efforts by Thousands of Local Lions

OAK BROOK, Illinois, USA, January 13, 2005—Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) will donate $5 million to tsunami victims in South Asia for long-term reconstruction of homes, schools and child welfare centers for orphans.  LCIF, the grant-making arm of Lions Clubs International, will award the funds to Lions members in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, India and Malaysia for locally led rebuilding efforts.  Lions in South Asia already have spent an estimated $820,000 on relief, including $220,000 sent to them by LCIF.  As the world’s largest service club organization, Lions have nearly 1.4 million members worldwide, with thousands of members in the effected areas. 

Lions On The Ground in Disaster’s Aftermath
Supported by LCIF, several thousand local Lions responded immediately to the needs of people affected by the disaster. Local Lions in hundreds of places are at the scenes of the disaster, helping organize relief and ensuring that people get vital relief supplies.  Lions have:

• Worked 16-hour days in Sri Lanka organizing relief aid as a key partner of the government’s relief agency and of the country's president.  Lions sent 60 truckloads of food and supplies to several relocation camps and are organizing the installation of tents at new relocation camps in southern Sri Lanka at the government's request.
• Delivered four trucks of material daily and provided logistical support for aid shipments in Bandh Acheh, Indonesia. The 30 clubs involved also are providing shelter, food, clothing and medical treatment to refugees who have entered Medan.  Additionally, Lions are making preliminary plans to support the educational needs of orphans.
• Organized a team of 80 Lions volunteer medical professionals to provide first aid near Channai, India.  Nearly 70 clubs have distributed food and clothing at relief camps.
• Sent water tanks and trucks loaded with supplies to Phuket, Thailand, working with government officials and relief agencies to provide the basic needs at relocation camps.

Part of the long-term focus is on providing housing for the thousands of displaced people.  In Sri Lanka, Lions are developing plans with the Ministry of Housing to build 3,000 pre-fabricated homes at about $1,000 apiece.  Taking into consideration the vast number of children who are made orphans, Lions are determined to build childcare centers throughout the area.

“The tsunami disaster in South Asia has prompted a tremendous outpouring of support from Lions around the world, and Lions in the affected countries are working day and night to bring life-saving supplies to victims,” said Dr. Tae-Sup Lee of Seoul, Korea, LCIF Chairperson for 2004-2005.

LCIF has a 30-year history of disaster relief including two major rebuilding efforts in South Asia after recent natural disasters. After an earthquake in Gujart, India, in 2001, LCIF mobilized US $2.5 million in aid to rebuild 734 homes, 20 primary schools and a general hospital.  In 2000, LCIF provided almost US$500,000 to assist areas affected by the Orissa cyclone in India, constructing a total of 360 homes, nine community centers, five schools, and two orphanages.  Since 1968, LCIF has awarded nearly US$25 million to the regions affected by the tsunami for disaster relief and other health and human services programs.

“The real impact of our assistance to tsunami victims in South Asia will be fully realized in the next several years as LCIF partners with Lions to rebuild homes, schools and community centers,” said Peter Lynch, the lead administrator for LCIF. “This long-term approach plays to the strength of LCIF and Lions, who belong to their communities, understand local needs and know how to get things done.” Lions are often civic, business and government leaders. In Sri Lanka, for example, the former president is a Lion, as is the current Minister of Housing. 

Although primarily funded by Lions club members, donations for tsunami relief can be made to LCIF by anyone.  Every donated dollar goes directly to relief efforts.  To contribute:

• Mail a check to LCIF. Make the check payable to LCIF and write “tsunami relief” in the memo field. Send the check to LCIF, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA, Attn.: Donor Services.
• Donate by credit card with MasterCard, Visa or American Express by calling LCIF at 630-571-5466, ext. 517 or 554. Lines are open between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST.

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with nearly 1.4 million members in approximately 44,600 clubs in 193 countries and geographical areas around the world.  Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world.

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