Washington, D.C. -  US Rep. David Price (NC-04) released the following statement and information about the tsunami relief effort today:

"Our deep condolences go out to the people of South Asia and to everyone around the world who experienced the loss and heartbreak of the tsunami this week. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families, and we stand ready to help provide the assistance and support to help with this enormous tragedy, both from the 4th District and across the country."

U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), an independent federal government agency, is the principal U.S. agency to extend assistance to countries recovering from disaster. USAID's web site contains a list of relief agencies helping with the earthquake and tsunami disaster. Visit the USAID.GOV website for Earthquake and Tsunami Relief.

Visit the State Department's website.

U.S. Citizens

For information about U.S. citizens, family members should contact the U.S. Department of State Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (888) 407-4747 or (202) 647-5225. Please note that these lines are frequently busy during the first few days after a large disaster.

If you are unable to reach the State Department or do not receive necessary information, you should also contact the U.S. Embassy in the affected country. Click here to go to the State Department's list of U.S. Embassies worldwide.

Non-U.S. Citizens

For information about non-U.S. citizens, please contact the country's respective consulate.

You may also visit the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The site offers family members an opportunity to search for missing relatives’ names. If inquirers cannot locate missing people on the site, they can post their own name or the name of the missing family member. The information is not verified or tracked by either the ICRC or the American Red Cross but is offered by the ICRC as a stand-alone internet tool for inquirers to use on their own.

Below, in countries where available, are special hotlines and instructions:

India

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has set up control rooms with hotline phone numbers in New Delhi to respond to calls regarding the disaster. This information is posted on the Ministry of External Affairswebsite.

Ministry of External Affairs,
New Delhi
Phone: 011-91-11-2301-1954, 011-91-2301-2292, 011-91-11-2301-7160
Fax: 011-91-11-2301-3945, 011-91-2301-0889
E-mail: asad@mea.gov.in pasad@mea.gov.in

Thailand

Family members living in the US are encouraged to visit the Royal Thai Embassy. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the Ministry of Interior has set up a Coordinating Center for people in Thailand affected by the Tsunamis. The Center will operate 24 hours a day.

Bangkok

There are several phone numbers provided for the Coordinating Centers in Bangkok: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Coordinating Centre
Phone: 011-66-2643-5262 or 011-66-2643-5000 Ext. 5003 or 5502
Fax: 66-2643-5256

Phuket

Phone: 076-220-361
Fax: 076-220-361

Malaysia

Families should contact the government of Malaysia’s 24-hour crisis hotline at the Royal Malaysian Police Headquarters.
Tel: 011-60-3-2262-6555 or fax 011-60-3-2691-0707. Families can also send an email to rmp@rmp.gov.my

Sri Lanka

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established a 24 Hour Assistance Unit to assist with queries from the Sri Lankan expatriate community and foreign nationals regarding the whereabouts of friends/relatives in Sri Lanka or those presently visiting the country. Two short Emergency Information Forms have been designed to be completed by those seeking information regarding their friends/relatives. One form is for Sri Lankan Nationals and the other for Foreign Nationals. Find the relevant form and other helpful information on the Sri Lanka Embassy website.

24 Hour Assistance:
94-11-239-2047 94-11-254-2871 94-11-234-7615
Fax: 94-11-243-7017 94-11-232-1404

Indonesia

Office of the Coordinating Ministry of Social Welfare
Phone/Fax: 011-62-21-345-3676 or 011-62-21-345-9102