PBS has a simple but informative Flash animation slideshow on the mechanics of a tsunami. It's hard to match this colorful little display with the death and destruction going on in the aftermath of the real thing, though.
NGO Monitor has posted a guide to some of the major organizations providing disaster relief. The purpose of the guide is to indicate which organizations generally tend to concentrate their resources on humanitarian efforts without pushing a political and ideological (often anti-Israel) agenda. I'm glad to see this, because while any and all aid should be considered a mitzvah and a blessing, I've seen the names of some organizations involved in this effort that I'd rather not support, myself. Some excerpts:
****DIRECT RELIEF INTERNATIONAL
This California based NGO devoted to "improve the health of people...who are victims of natural disasters, war, and civil unrest," is truly a humanitarian and apolitical organization. According the NGO Monitor's assessment, this organization's activities indeed reflect a non-discriminatory approach, "without regard to political affiliation, religious belief, or ethnic identity."****CARE USA
CARE implements its stated mission of serving individuals and families in the poorest communities in the world" without attempting to further a political agenda. The activities of CARE provide an example of a humanitarian NGO carrying out its work under difficult circumstances in a professional manner for the benefit of those in need of its assistance programs. In contrast to many other NGOs that promote a political agenda, CARE fulfils its mission, concentrating on practical humanitarian activities.**OXFAM
Oxfam International (a loose confederation from 12 countries) collects a great deal of money to distribute annually in the effort "to find lasting solutions to poverty, suffering and injustice," and in response to humanitarian disasters. However, some Oxfam branches have engaged in highly politicized and ideological campaigns in the Arab-Israeli field, which have contributed to the conflict.*WAR ON WANT
Claiming to be "Fighting for a world without poverty", this explicitly political organization uses economic issues to further its agenda, including a "Palestine campaign" that promotes the demonization of Israel.*CHRISTIAN AID
Despite its stated goals "To further charitable purposes, which relieve or combat malnutrition, hunger, disease, sickness or distress throughout the world", Christian Aid's extensive involvement in politics undermines claims to be primarily a charitable and humanitarian organization. The prominence of its political agenda was recently highlighted in the "Child of Bethlehem" campaign.
Check it out here.
