SGI Organizations Support Haiti Relief Efforts

TOKYO , Jan. 20 /CNW/ - Soka Gakkai International (SGI) organizations around the world have made donations to assist the relief efforts in Haiti following the devastating earthquake which hit the country on Tuesday January 12, 2010 .

On January 15 , Soka Gakkai Japan Vice President Kenji Yoshigo visited Jean Claude Bordes , Charge d'Affaires at the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti in Tokyo , to pledge a contribution of 3 million yen (US$32,900) toward government-organized relief activities. At ceremonies held in Japan on January 17 to commemorate the victims of the massive earthquake which hit the port city of Kobe on that day in 1995, Soka Gakkai members offered special prayers for the victims of the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Haiti .

SGI members in the neighboring Dominican Republic have donated 2,400 bottles of water, canned food, powdered milk, and crackers to the NPO Socio Cultural Movement for Haitian Workers (MOSCTHA). Four SGI members from the Dominican Republic , including two doctors, have traveled to Haiti with MOSCTHA's team to assist with the provision of emergency medical assistance.

SGI-Venezuela has pledged a donation of foodstuffs, diapers and sanitary towels through the Venezuelan Red Cross.

SGI-USA has donated US$10,000 to the American Red Cross International Response Fund and held extended prayer sessions for the repose of the victims.

Further afield, SGI-Hong Kong has contributed HK$200,000 (US$25,750) to the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF in support of relief activities, and the Taiwan Soka Association has pledged 1 million Taiwanese dollars (US$31,420) for relief efforts through the Ministry of the Interior which is responsible for humanitarian assistance.

SGI is a Buddhist association with over 12 million members around the world that promotes peace, culture and education. Its humanitarian relief activities are part of the longstanding traditions of socially engaged Buddhism.

For further information: Joan Anderson, Office of Public Information, Soka Gakkai International, Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone], URL: www.sgi.org, E-mail: [email protected]