EWC Tsunami Fund Closing, Aid Work Continues

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HONOLULU (Dec. 29) Within hours of the Dec. 26, 2004 deadly earthquake and resulting tsunami that claimed over 200-thousand lives and laid waste to a large portion of Southeast and South Asia, the East-West Center (EWC) swept into action. With the cooperation of First Hawaiian Bank, the EWC established the East-West Center Tsunami Relief Fund. Two years and some 507-thousand dollars later, the EWC is preparing to close its books with the distribution of the final 2 percent of the money donated by private citizens, including local school children, and businesses throughout Hawaii, the U.S. mainland, and the region. At the time of the tragedy Charles E. Morrison, EWC president, said "We want to do what we can to help the victims on the ground." The Fund enabled the EWC to do just that. The donations collected were disbursed to selected non-profit organizations undertaking relief efforts in the affected areas. None of the money was used for EWC administrative expenses or to fund EWC unilateral activities.

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