Thank heavens for that, I am sure those who have lost everything and in cases everyone they love will feel glad that a group have taken the time to ensure their views on what people should eat are being pushed in the name of aid !

These people need help not a cynical attempt to impose a viewpoint

while aid groups such as oxfam imposed western agricultural models on the third world in the name of high productivity and relief, vegfam does not. while promoting animal husbandry uses up viatl resources such as land, topsoil and water. vegfam sends useful stuff like approbriate technology (ciramic water filers for example). In one example were traditional fishing villages had been denied their historic fishing grounds by overfishing from international trawling fleets, vegfam sent equipement to extract protein from leaves and help the people get over the their enforced change of diet and gave them a new way to earn a living. In terms of your criticism, you should perhaps read 'dief for a small planet' to get an idea of why retaining vegetarian traditions and not encouraging switching to animal products is a good idea for people and the planet.

I checked out the web link and there is NOTHING on the website about a Tsunami appeal although I do think this a well meaning and worthy cause.
However I would not send them any money without knowing more.

The problem is where can we send money to that will be used ethically? by this I mean for the benefit of the local people in countries affected.

VEGFAM (FEEDS THE HUNGRY WITHOUT EXPLOITING ANIMALS)
British Registered Charity Nr 232208. Established 1963.
Inland Revenue Nr XN8555.Inland Revenue Self–assessment Gift Aid Nr XAD67AG

INDIAN OCEAN EARTHQUAKE APPEAL

Initial Response:

At 1.25. p.m. U.K. time on Boxing Day (26th December, 2004), Vegfam received a telephone call from Pastor Paul Jesudoss in India - to say that a massive tidal wave had hit the coastal plains of Tamil Nadu State in South India.
(Pastor Paul Jesudoss runs a Welfare Mission in Madurai. Vegfam has worked with him over a 10 year Period, funding various philanthropic, (vegan) famine relief projects. In the past he has quickly assembled relief teams to help in emergencies.
Earlier in 2004, his teams distributed Vegfam-funded food to flood victims in Bihar and Assam).
He requested £3,000 to provide 3,000 food packets of plant-based foods – vegetables, pulses and rice – to help people who had been living on or near the shoreline and who had survived the tsunami wave.
His request was approved by VEGFAM the same day. That evening one relief team and two rescue trams of 100 men, set off from Madurai, to distribute the vegan food packets in Madras, Nagapattinam and Kanya Kumari.

Longer Term Response:

VEGFAM is now fundraising to assist a registered International Humanitarian Charity
that is assessing the longer term needs of the affected areas in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. VEGFAM has funded projects with this Charity for some years – they are ideally suited to carrying out these assessments, as they have been providing Food Security Programmes, water and sanitation projects to these areas since 1996.
Prior to the tsunami disaster, Sri Lanka had experienced floods over a 10 day period, that had resulted in the destruction of thousands of homes and half of the local paddy fields. This means that the projected food harvest for January has been reduced by 75% and 61,000 people are affected.
There is a risk of Cholera and other water borne diseases because of polluted water
supplies.
It is expected that VEGFAM will be able to contribute to a long term vegetable growing project (and possibly water security also) – as part of the regeneration and food security programme, to either Sri Lanka or Indonesia. We shall know in March exactly where help is needed most.
In the meantime – fundraising for the longer term project(s), is crucial.

You are invited to support VEGFAM’s relief work, to help the earthquake victims.
A cheque/postal order made out to “Vegfam Indian Ocean Earthquake Appeal,” can be sent to either of the Vegfam addresses, or can be paid in direct to the “Vegfam Indian Ocean Earthquake Appeal” account number 65158447, sort code number 08 – 90 – 99 at: Customer Services, The Co-operative Bank Plc, P.O. Box 250, SKELMERSDALE, WN8 6WT. For Countries outside the U.K.:-
the Bank Identification Code (BIC) is CPBK GB22 and the
International Bank Account Number, (IBAN) is GB57 CPBK 0890 9965 1584 47.


All monies received for this Appeal will go on projects, (no deductions for administration). If you are a U.K. taxpayer, under the Gift Aid scheme, any donation that you give could be increased by 28p in the £1.00 (at the standard rate of 22%). For people who pay tax at 10% the donation is increased by 11p in the £1.00. When the tax rate is 40%, the Donor who uses Gift Aid gets a credit of 66.7p - 28.2p i.e. 38.5p towards his or her personal tax liability, for each £1.00 donated. Either way, the amount of tax you expect to pay (or pay) must be greater or equal to the amount claimed by (all of) the Charities you donate to, through the Gift Aid scheme.
A business can also use Gift Aid. Please write to us for a Gift Aid form or telephone to give an oral Gift Aid Declaration. Please let us know which tax percentage applies.
(For further advice, please see www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk reference IR32, IR65, and if a business, IR64).
(You are welcome to help with the running costs of Vegfam – please ask for details).
To send a postal donation (cheque or postal order) or request details of VEGFAM’s other (vegan) famine relief projects, please send a stamped addressed envelope to:-

Vegfam H.Q., “The Sanctuary,” Nr. Lydford, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 4AL, UK.
or Vegfam, The Secretary, c/o Cwm Cottage, Cwmynys, Cilycwm, Llandovery,
Carmarthenshire, Wales, SA20 0EU, UK.

Telephone: 01822 820203 (Lydford 203) or 01550 721197 (Wales).
Facsimile: by arrangement, please ring first.
Website address: http//www.veganvillage.co.uk/vegfam/
email:  vegfam@veganvillage.co.uk

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT