The AIA has demonstrated a long history of assisting communities that are hard hit by disasters, and we intend to offer the Institute's support during the prolonged recovery and reconstruction phase following the catastrophic Asian tsunami. Here are some of the actions taken by both the national and local components:

Multi-disciplinary Team to Sri Lanka

• The Sri Lanka Institute of Architects contacted the AIA on March 21 inviting a multi-disciplinary team of architects, engineers, urban planners and landscape architects to Sri Lanka to explore opportunities for assistance on issues of disaster recovery, coastal reconstruction, land use, and design and construction guidelines.
  
• Hosted by the SLIA, members and staff from the AIA, the American Planning Association, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the American Society of Landscape Architects are participating in a reconnaissance trip during the first week of May to learn more about how the U.S. design and construction community can contribute to Sri Lanka’s rebuilding efforts.
  
• The World Bank has posted on its Web site a Preliminary Damage and Needs Assessment for Sri Lanka prepared jointly by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Japan Bank for International Cooperation, and the World Bank. This report outlines the great challenges faced by Sri Lanka in rebuilding and begins to guide long-term recovery efforts.

Collaborations

• On March 3, the AIA submitted proposals to work in concert with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) currently active in rebuilding tsunami-affected communities in South Asia such as CARE, Habitat for Humanity International, World Vision, CHF International, among others.
  
• On January 14, the AIA submitted a preliminary proposal to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide damage assessment training to local architects and officials in tsunami-damaged areas.
  
• In an effort to share information and work collaboratively with fellow design and construction-related organizations, the AIA hosted meetings with representatives from 19 design and construction industry organizations on January 11 and February 1 to share plans for tsunami relief. Among those in attendance were representatives from the American Architectural Foundation, American Council of Engineering Companies, American Institute of Architecture Students, American Planning Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society of Landscape Architects, Architects Without Borders, Associated General Contractors, Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture, Building Owners & Managers Association, Construction Specifications Institute, Design-Build Institute of America, Habitat for Humanity, International Facility Management Association, National Association of Home Builders, National Council of Architectural Registration Boards, Real Estate Roundtable, Urban Land Institute, and World Bank.

Contributions

• On January 5, 2005, the AIA Board of Directors, on behalf of the Institute, committed $10,000 to the Architecture for Humanity reconstruction appeal.
  
• The Boston Society of Architects announced on January 11 that, at the direction of its Executive Committee, it contributed $25,000 to Architecture for Humanity.
  
• To date, AIA Michigan's Michigan Architectural Foundation has raised $16,000 for Shelter for Life.
  
• In Asia, the AIA Hong Kong component joined with other professional institutes to donate over $60,000 to the Hong Kong Red Cross.

Contact with Affected Countries

• In late December 2004, letters of condolence were sent to architectural organizations in the affected countries along with seed money to help support their response efforts. The AIA received responses from Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Malaysia.
  
• The Sri Lanka Institute of Architects (SLIA) sent a letter to AIA President Doug Steidl, FAIA, stating that help from AIA architects is welcome and specified several actions the SLIA will undertake to re-house tsunami victims. The SLIA established the Architects' Fund to Shelter Tsunami Victims; please visit their site to find out how to contribute.
  
• The Institute of Architects of Indonesia (IAI) has been called upon by that country's Ministry of Public Works to coordinate a task force of building sector professionals to assist during the reconstruction and rehabilitation programs that are due to start in mid-2005. The IAI will disseminate a long-term work program to international architects as an invitation to participate in the reconstruction.
  
• The Malaysian Institute of Architects’ (PAM) Northern Chapter has provided aid to affected fishermen at Pulau Betong to repair boats and replace fishing nets. PAM has also identified a number of projects through which its members can offer assistance to affected communities in the larger Southeast Asian region.
  
• As Bangladesh was not severely affected by the tsunami, the Institute of Architects Bangladesh will contribute to the international response by adopting two orphans in every affected country.
  
• Kenya gratefully acknowledged the Institute’s contribution.

As always, please visit the AIA Web page often as the AIA will continue to update you on our activities and efforts during this ongoing recovery and rebuilding period.