A Wake for a Lost Generation

Phuket 

On December 26th, a severe earthquake (9.o) hit a region near Aceh in Indonesia, moving the ocean floor approximately 80 feet. The violent shift 6 miles benieth the surface sent walls of water surging across the Indian ocean at speeds of up to 500mph, hitting the coasts of Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Maldives, Malasia, Somalia, Bengledesh, and Kenya. Sunbathers were swept from beaches, joggers from the streets, congregates were drown in their churches and fisherman never returned from the sea. The death toll suspected to be between 25, 000 and approximately 50, 000 or more, with many injured and thousands left missing. It is presumed that almost one half of those that have passed or are still missing are children between the ages of 5-12 years.
The devastation has left many homeless and alone, and those who haven't already drown are now entering the struggle to stay alive in its wake. Streets, beaches and hospitals lined with dead bodies promise disease while landmines have been strewn across the unmarked land. As people search for their loved ones and friends, they are threatened with shortages of clean water, food, shelter and medical resources.
This is a REAL international disaster with REAL consequences and something must be done NOW. Each passing day is critical.
If that is not enough to motivate you to take action, check out this video. It is live footage of a wave hitting a resort on the coast of Phuket, Thailand:
http://sa.nextwish.org/Video/tsunamiphuket.wmv
Here is also a gallery of photographs taken in the same area during the event. It includes images such as the one headlining this post:
http://www.pbase.com/issels/phuket_tsunami&page=all
This is a link to a blog site that has dedicated itself to providing updates and aid information concerning this disaster. You should visit it and bookmark it RIGHT NOW:
http://www.tsunamihelp.blogspot.com/
The following is also a list of links to organizations that are accepting contributions for assistance that they or their affiliates will provide to those affected by the natural tradgey in Southest Asia:
Mercy Corps Portland, Or
World Concern Seattle, Wa
World Vision Tacoma, Wa
NW Medical Teams Portland, Or
World Relief Baltimore, Md
Relief International Los Angeles, Ca
Asia Earthquake/Tidal Wave Relief Fund Westport, Ct
UNICEF New York, Ny
Doctors Without Borders New York, Ny
AFSC Crisis Fund Philidelphia, Pa
International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent
NetAid Asian Earthquake Crisis Fund
Jewish Community of Thailand Relief Effort

Also, if you happen to be looking for somebody you may fear has been affected in any of these areas, this site may be of service to you:
http://www.p-h-u-k-e-t.com/forum/

Please do something. Please help.