ARLINGTON, Va., June 5 /PRNewswire/ -- The Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) has joined the Washington, D.C.-based Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia to urge all those who wish to help victims of the May 27 Java earthquake to donate cash, as an alternative to gifts-in-kind and other commodities, in order to provide optimal assistance. It is widely recognized that cash donations are the most efficient and effective means of response, a policy supported by CIDI's funding partner, the United States Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, and those in the established international disaster response community.

"This is a devastating tragedy for the people of Indonesia," said Suzanne H. Brooks, the director of CIDI. "Many of the victims were still in the process of rebuilding their lives from previous disasters when this earthquake occurred. Now they truly need help to recover. It is critical that relief workers have the resources they need to respond quickly and effectively to victims' needs. The best way to provide assistance is through cash donations, which allow agencies already on the ground in Indonesia to purchase exactly what is needed help the victims."

"Indonesia has been always grateful with the support of the U.S. government and generosity of the American people during the time of our grief, particularly when the tsunami struck the Provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra in December 2004," said the Ambassador of the Republic of Indonesia, Sudjadnan Parnohadiningrat.

The 6.3-magnitude earthquake in the Special Province of Yogyakarta located on Java Island, Indonesia has claimed an estimated 5,000 lives to date and left approximately 200,000 people homeless without electricity, food, clean water and shelter. The earthquake was the worst tremor felt in the region since the 2004 tsunami and the fourth destructive quake in the last 18 months.

Individuals and organizations interested in making contributions to help the victims of the Indonesian earthquake can get more information by visiting CIDI's Web site at www.cidi.org. In addition, interested donors can visit www.interaction.org to obtain a list of credible responding agencies for international emergencies and www.give.org to get valuable information on making informed decisions when supporting charities.

The Indonesian community residing in the Greater Washington D.C. area, in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia, has established a task force named Indonesia Relief, whose task is working with credible national and international non-governmental organizations experienced in relief efforts.

Indonesia Relief has set up the Yogyakarta Relief Fund for those interested in donating directly to the victims. Checks can be mailed to: Dana Bantuan/Fund Assistance, Yogyakarta Relief Fund, Bank of America, 730 15th Street NW, 7th Floor, Washington, D.C. 20005 with reference to bank account number 0019-2153-1110. On-line donations can be processed through PayPal on the Web site: www.indonesiarelief.org

Further information related to the earthquake, or about Indonesia in general, can be obtained at: www.embassyofindonesia.org

About CIDI

CIDI is based in Arlington, Virginia, and was created in 1988. The Center is funded by the United States Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. CIDI provides individuals, groups, embassies and corporations with information and guidance in support of appropriate international disaster relief efforts. The organization works with a variety of partners to channel the public's energy and desire to help to achieve maximum impact. By reaching out to the American public and the private sector, CIDI helps to promote activities and donations that will do the most good for disaster victims around the world. For more information about CIDI and helping international victims, please visit www.cidi.org or call 703-276-2942.