American Inst. of Architects coordinating a response for tsunami relief

[NewYorkerfromMass]

I am so glad the architects are stepping up to the plate!
From their homepage:

In response to the unmitigated disaster and suffering caused by this week’s tsunamis in Asia, the AIA national component is coordinating a response among its components and members so that the Institute may offer the most appropriate and timely help to those in need.

Members of the AIA national component disaster assistance leadership team currently are weighing plans in preparation for responding to requests for assistance from affected countries and architectural societies. The team is preparing to address a variety of needs including the provision of assistance for which architects are most qualified—damage assessment and/or assessing the habitability of damaged structures—which normally takes place after the most critical tasks of recovery of bodies, and providing temporary shelter, food, medication, etc. are under control.

In the meantime, AIA President Douglas L Steidl, FAIA, and AIA Executive Vice President Norman L. Koonce, FAIA, have sent letters of condolence to their counterparts in all 12 countries affected. Both recalled how meaningful such kindnesses received after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks were to the Institute. Additionally, the AIA is providing seed money to affected architectural societies to help with their initial organization of their own members’ response efforts....

http://www.aia.org/aiarchitect/

[malaise]

1. Lovely

The involvement of professionals in a plethora of spheres matters way more than the political gamesmanship going on among governments re donations.

[flordehinojos]

2. this post brings to mind activist ARUNDATHI ROY who is also an architect,

and who lives in India. She might be a good resource for them to have on board with them.

[blm]

3. The Pritzkers will probably step up bigtime on this.

They give out the Pritzker Prize for Architecture, and no doubt there have been many Hyatt Hotels and their guests effected by the tsunami.