Arlington, VA — June 30, 2005 — Six months after the tsunami devastated South Asia, the focus of the international community is moving toward reconstruction and long-term rebuilding, reports Dr. Arthur Keys, Founder, President and CEO of International Relief and Development (IRD). Speaking at a National Press Club “Newsmaker” event, Dr. Keys gave an overview of current efforts.

“So much has been accomplished to help those affected by the tsunamis,” said Dr. Keys. “The international community, working with local officials, has managed to prevent widespread disease and other disasters that were initially feared. The challenge remains to help restore lives and livelihoods. And to move displaced persons into transitional, and then ultimately into permanent housing.”

Dr. Keys was one of a group of NGO (non-governmental organization) leaders who met with former U.S. President and current UN Special Envoy for Post-Tsunami Reconstruction Bill Clinton in Indonesia earlier this month. While in Indonesia, Dr. Keys surveyed areas hardest hit by the tsunamis and visited several active projects implemented by local IRD staff. Among the projects:

• - United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) funded Cash-For-Work programs that employ thousands of Indonesians daily to assist in clean-up efforts in exchange for cash which can be used to purchase food and other necessities;
• - Water and sanitation projects funded by USAID and the Save the Children Federation (SCF) to provide clean water and sanitation in affected communities and internally displaced persons (IDP) camps and to promote hygiene to prevent disease;
• Counseling services in several IDP camps in Aceh to assist those in need; and
• - Health programs to combat the threat of malaria and to promote awareness of health issues associated with mosquito-born diseases through the support of Direct Relief International (DRI).

IRD has been working with local and international partners to deliver assistance to crisis-affected communities and IDPs. IRD has been active in Indonesia since 1999 and in Sri Lanka since early 2004. IRD has a network of local resources on the ground and strong working relationships in both countries which afforded IRD the ability to mobilize rapidly and undertake cost-effective and results-oriented programming.

Six months on, IRD remains active and committed to the long-term recovery and economic development of the devastated areas. Currently, IRD has more than 160 staff on the ground implementing water sanitation, health, psychosocial and livelihood security. IRD works in cooperation with, and through the financial and in-kind support of, international agencies such as the UNDP, USAID, SCF, Direct Relief International and in large part through the private donations from concerned citizens worldwide.

“Despite the many accomplishments of the international community in the past six months, the magnitude of the work ahead of IRD and others is simply daunting,” said Dr. Keys. “Nevertheless, IRD remains committed to the long-term relief and reconstruction effort in both Indonesia and Sri Lanka.”