There has been a lot of talk about international and individual aid in this forum. I don't know if these links have been put up elsewhere but I thought I'd post them for those thinking of making donations:

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: http://www.ifrc.org/

Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders): http://www.msf.org/

United Nations: http://www.un.org/

World Vision: http://www.worldvision.org/

These are just some of the many organisations accepting donations to help the victims of the tsunami disaster. Please give what you can.

These links are to the homepages of the organisations. Follow the links through to find the donation details.

Thanks Jim
I am proud of my bank. They have designated one counter for donations only. No queueing, (well, only if you are queueing to donate, that is!) It certainly encourages people to donate.

There are many heart warming ways that companies are donating - some companies are making large donations and then matching employees donations also, Dick Smith, QANTAS among others that have donated one million dollars and smaller shops donating a days takings. People are giving what they can and it's great to see.

It is happening here too, Jill. our local paper has announced today that Hong Kong has donated more per head than any other country in the world, privately that is. It is a good feeling.

The Canadian government is matching any funds privately donated (until Jan 11) in addition to the official disaster relief. I also notice that many governmens are forgiving loans to the countries affected.

The school where I'm working has many people from that region of the world as many of my students are immigrants or at least first generation Americans. One of the teachers is taking the red cross bag around and it's nice to see kids giving what they can.

What I think I admire the most is the thought that any gift is appreciated. I am often asked for charitable donations and I appreciate it when someone thanks me for what I've given, not questions what I haven't. There are organizations that hire people to do it for them and those folks on the telephone, regardless of how worthy the cause may be, they just don't stop trying to get you to increase the contribution and I don't find that conduces the urge to give. I also wonder if the money will reach the right people with this attitude at the outset.
If we do encourage kids to give small donations at first, then they'll give more when they can.

I know that when I get door to door folks with proper identification, I'll give what I have at the moment if I can.

I do think that people need to be reassured that their contributions will go to the people they wish to help and these links are helpful.