Cambridge, Mass., October 11, 2005 -- The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and the Unitarian Universalist Association announced today that they have created a joint fund to respond to the recent earthquake that has devastated South Asia.

The organizations established this fund in response to information that there may be as many as 41,000 dead and millions more left homeless by the earthquake, which hit the Himalayan regions of Pakistan and India on Saturday, October 8.

 “We’re deeply moved by the scale of this tragedy,” said UUSC President Charlie Clements. “UUSC’s perspective in protecting the human rights of vulnerable people in disasters will be an important guide in our response.”

 “We’re working closely with our partners and allies in the region to identify the most appropriate ways to support local organizations from a human rights perspective,” said Martha Thompson, manager of UUSC’s Rights in Humanitarian Crises Program.

“I know I speak for Unitarian Universalists around our Association in expressing my anguish at the magnitude of the tragedy suffered in Asia,” said UUA President William Sinkford. “My prayers are with all those who have experienced tremendous loss in this disaster; my hope is that we will be generous in providing assistance where it is most needed.”

Donations to the UUSC-UUA South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund can be made online or by mail at P.O. Box 845259, Boston, MA 02284-5259. For more information about the UUSC-UUA response to the earthquake or to make a donation online, visit our website, www.uusc.org.

CONTACT:
Dick Campbell, 617-301-4370
Kevin Murray, 617-301-4306