Readiness and Relief

In the aftermath of the 9.0-magnitude earthquake that sent deadly tsunamis across the Indian Ocean on Sunday, December 26, over 150,000 persons are believed dead in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand, India and other South Asian countries, with thousands of others still missing and millions more injured or affected in some way by the devastation. Epidemics could claim many more lives. Full recovery could take a generation.

At his press conference on Wednesday, President Bush acknowledged he could not immediately confirm that the U.S. has an adequate public warning system that will help us avert a similar disaster along the west coast of the U.S., including Alaska or Hawaii. He had already contacted federal agencies to research the question and called for an international warning system for any future tsunamis.

The number one critical infrastructure issue of COMMUNICATIONS and public warning systems seems to still plague our own readiness in the U.S. Whether it is earthquakes, tornados, hurricanes, or man-made disasters, more needs to be done in the public warning and communications arena.

In the meanwhile, KTLW is working with The Church On The Way and Foursquare Church International for coordinated distribution of food, water, clothing and medical supplies by Foursquare’s regional overseer, Lesli Keegel, in Sri Lanka. Send your tax-deductible check to:

KTLW Business Office
14820 Sherman Way
Van Nuys, CA 91405

Make your check out to "KTLW" and note on it "for Disaster Relief.” Or, for quicker response, you may donate ONLINE.