Make A Difference » Partnership Funds 

ASM/Asia Tsunami Relief and Recovery Fund

In response to the magnitude of the human suffering and destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunami that tore through South Asia in December 2004, the leadership of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) has partnered with the Pan American Health and Education Foundation, a close partner of the World Health Organization (WHO), to support aid and reconstruction efforts in the affected countries.

The ASM Tsunami Relief/Recovery Fund provides a means for mobilizing resources to rebuild and restock a clinical laboratory destroyed by the tsunami and to establish a long-term relationship with the laboratory personnel. Grants made by the Foundation from this Fund will be directed toward rebuilding and strengthening the microbiological infrastructure that is so critical to both short-term relief and long-term well-being of the people in the devastated areas.

ASM has provided $30,000 to launch the work of the fund, but the microbiological needs will far surpass this amount. Donation to this relief and recovery effort can be made by ASM members worldwide and by other parties interested in helping to strengthen the damaged infrastructure as it relates to microbiology. In addition to financial assistance, ASM will offer technical assistance through its volunteer network to selected international organizations to ensure that the contributions will go to support microbiologists and their important work in the field.

ASM is the oldest and largest single life science organization in the world, with over 42,000 members worldwide representing 26 disciplines of microbiological specialization and education. The mission of ASM is to promote the microbiological sciences and their applications for the common good.

We invite all ASM members and interested individuals and organizations to contribute to this special fund that is part of the historic worldwide relief and recovery effort in Asia.