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Tsunami Response through July 15, 2006

Brother's Brother Foundation, in conjunction with its partners and associates, has shipped and/or delivered 459,000 bottles of medicine and other requested medical and relief supplies with a total value of over $59 million weighing over 200,000 pounds to tsunami victims. These shipments included antibiotic, anti-malarial, antifungal and antiviral drugs as well as respirators, pain relievers, muscle relaxants, medicines to treat diarrhea and urinary tract infections, food and building supplies . With the help of Ratna Nidha Charitable Trust, Sri Lankan American Association of Western Pennsylvania, Sri Venkateswara Temple and the Rotary Club of Colombo designated tsunami relief funds not used to provide logistical support for donated goods are being used to help rebuild houses, schools, orphanages and clinics throughout Indonesia, India and Sri Lanka. In addition, BBF has helped to distribute over 2 million sachets of vitamins through Helen Keller International and to deliver 225 containers, weighing over 8 million pounds, of relief supplies through Food For The Poor in Indonesia . Below are updates on two of BBF's major tsunami projects:

Mobile Orthopedic Clinic Project - Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust

The mobile clinic operated by the Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust in India is progressing through the State of Tamil Nadu .  The Trust is conducting mobile van camps where tsunami victims are provided with crutches, wheelchairs, tricycles and prosthetics. Amputations were also offered.  To date the Trust has distributed 1,466 wheelchairs, 610 tricycles, 2,200 pairs of crutches, performed 113 amputations and fitted 1,670 prosthetics.  Mahendra G. Mehta of the Ratna Nidhi Charitable Trust stated that "the response was overwhelming and with your (BBF) support we were able to provide relief to a large number of beneficiaries." This program, supported by BBF has given greater than 2,000 individuals mobility.

Recipients of prosthetic limbs from the Mobile Clinic

Ariyawansa School - Rotary Sri Lanka

BBF volunteer and representative of the Sri Lankan American Association of Pittsburgh, Nagen Suriya, was in Sri Lanka recently and sent this report:

"The dilapidated buildings and temporary huts that were classrooms when we visited the school in May 2005 are gone. The children are already occupying the brand new classroom buildings. The principal told me that attendance has been almost 100% since the new school building was occupied. They are still using rickety old desks and chairs from the old building, but there were no complaints. The students, teachers, and parents were all very happy and very, very grateful to the children and people of America who made this all possible after the Tsunami."


Currently at the Ariyawansa School , one building of the facility is completed and children are attending school.  The auditorium and an additional classroom building are still under construction and are expected to be completed by the end of December 2006.  Although a "soft" opening has taken place, the planned official opening is late January of 2007. 


One classroom block of the new school

BBF's Tsunami Resources Include:
$59 million of pharmaceuticals already shipped.
over $1,900,000 in cash donations and pledges from
almost 4,000 individuals, foundations and other institutions.

BBF, a 52-year old Pittsburgh-based international charity, has provided over $3.4 billion of medical supplies, textbooks, food, seeds, and other humanitarian supplies to people around the world in over 140 countries. With the help of gifts from the general public, corporations and the US government, in 2009 BBF sent product contributions to those in need in 70 countries including Argentina, Dominican Republic, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Malawi, Nicaragua, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda and Vietnam. These shipments were the equivalent of 319 tractor trailer loads. Also in 2009, BBF furnished supplies for 265 medical and humanitarian hand-carry mission trips.

Forbes Magazine, the national business periodical, listed Brother's Brother Foundation as one of the top four most efficient charities in a special issue,
2009 investment guide charity, December 2008. The issue lists
200 charities, rating them on how efficiently they collect and distribute donations.
Brother's Brother Foundation received 100 % or higher rating in both charitable commitment and fundraising efficiency.

Donations to assist with shipping costs are greatly appreciated. Credit card donations can be made by calling Brother's Brother Foundation at 412-321-3160. Checks should be made out to Brother's Brother Foundation and sent to:
Brother's Brother Foundation
1200 Galveston Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15233

For additional information, please contact:
Karen Dempsey, Vice President Development/Administration @ 412-237-2324 or email: kdempsey@brothersbrother.org

Luke Hingson, President @ 412-237-2320 or email: lhingson@brothersbrother.org