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I C A R D A N e w s INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN THE DRY AREAS P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria Phone: (963-21) 2213433, 2213477, 2225112, 2225012 Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105; E-mail: ICARDA@CGIAR.ORG Website: www.icarda.cgiar.org |
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For
more information contact:
Dr Surendra Varma (s.varma@CGIAR.ORG)
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9 January 2005
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| ICARDA joins the rest of the world in sharing the grief over the
loss of lives and livelihoods caused by the recent natural disaster
in the Indian Ocean. Strong tsunamis swept across South and East Asia
on 26 December 2004 after the most powerful earthquake in more than
40 years, measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale, struck under the Indian
Ocean off the west coast of Indonesia. The tsunamis obliterated villages
and resorts in more than 10 countries and left a death toll of more
than 150,000, while 5 million others are believed to have had their
livelihoods shattered. The solidarity being shown by the global community in the wake of the disaster is unprecedented, evidenced in the quick relief efforts and generous emergency financial contributions. Such aid, in addition to meeting the immediate relief needs for food, water and shelter, aid agencies should also consider establishing early-warning systems to reduce the vulnerability of the poor to disasters, and rebuilding their livelihoods. ICARDA, like other Centers in the CGIAR, has operated in post-disaster situations in CWANA, and recognizes the magnitude of the task ahead in bringing normalcy after this crisis. The disaster points to the value of preventative investments by development aid agencies, compared to the investments in dealing with its aftermath. In partnership with other CGIAR centers and national agricultural research programs, ICARDA stands ready to provide assistance to rebuild the agricultural foundations of livelihoods for the affected poor communities. Prof. Dr Adel El-Beltagy, Director General, on behalf of ICARDA staff and their families, sent messages of condolence to the various CGIAR sister centers in the region including CIFOR, ICRISAT, IWMI, World Fish Center and leaders of agricultural research in the countries affected by the tsunami. He conveyed ICARDA's solidarity with them in facing the calamity and finding solutions. The Board of Trustees, Management and Staff of the Center extend their deepest sympathies to all who have lost loved ones and livelihoods in the havoc caused by the tsunamis. During a staff meeting held on 9 January 2005, the staff of ICARDA observed a one-minute silence in remembrance of those who have lost their lives in the tsunami disaster. |
About
ICARDA: Established in 1977, ICARDA (www.icarda.cgiar.org)
serves the entire developing world for the improvement of barley, lentil,
and faba bean; and dry-area developing countries for the on-farm management
of water, improvement of nutrition and productivity of small ruminants
(sheep and goats), and rehabilitation and management of rangelands. In
the Central and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region, ICARDA is responsible
for the improvement of durum and bread wheats, chickpea, pasture and forage
legumes and farming systems; and for the protection and enhancement of
the natural resource base of water, land, and biodiversity.
The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) (www.cgiar.org) is a strategic alliance of countries, international and regional organizations, and private foundations supporting15 international research centers that mobilizes cutting-edge science to promote sustainable development by reducing hunger and poverty, improving human nutrition and health, and protecting the environment.