SGI Organizations Continue Relief Efforts in Response to Tsunami Disaster
In response to the catastrophic tsunami that devastated large parts of the Asian region on December 26, 2004, SGI organizations in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia, continue relief efforts, working with local governments and other welfare organizations.
Bharat Soka Gakkai (SGI-India) made an initial donation of 500,000 rupees (approx. US$11,500) to the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund and so far collected 3.2 million rupees that will be donated or used for rehabilitation efforts such as rebuilding schools and hospitals. The Soka Gakkai headquarters in Japan donated US$100,000 to the government of Indonesia and US$30,000 to Sri Lanka. On January 9, Soka Gakkai Indonesia Chair Peter Nurhan visited Indonesia's Vice President Jusuf Kalla and delivered the money. SGI-Sri Lanka General Director Paul Dias donated the fund directly to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapakse on January 6. In Canada, on January 2, a SGI-Canada chorus participated in a charity concert held in a Chinese town in Toronto.