BANGKOK, Thailand (ABP) — Baptist groups from around the world affiliated with the Baptist World Alliance have contributed as much as $15 million so far in relief for victims of the December 26 South Asian tsunamis, according to a BWA official.
The director of Baptist World Aid, the BWA's relief and development arm, estimated that Baptist denominations from around the globe have given between $12 and $15 million in aid since the disaster, which may have killed as many as 300,000 people.
BWAid Director Paul Montacute reported the figure at a May 6-7 roundtable with more than 40 Baptist tsunami relief workers in Bangkok. The workers represented 12 different nations — India, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, Hungary, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Montacute said approximately $2 million of the relief funds had been disbursed directly through BWAid.
The roundtable discussion focused on evaluating the Baptist work done in the tsunami zone so far, as well as future projects and ways to better coordinate relief work among various Baptist groups in future major disasters.
“The focus now is clearly on rebuilding people's lives and homes, the community infrastructure and sustainable livelihoods,” Montacute said. “It was impressive to see how Baptists from the affected areas have been doing so much in providing relief and making plans for the long-term future.”
Nonetheless, he said, establishing a central communications network and database for future disaster responses is necessary. “While our cooperation and coordination worked to some degree, the need for a more speedy and coordinated response to disasters and crises was noted,” he said.
Montacute also said more money is needed. Future recovery projects discussed by roundtable participants total nearly $5 million.