On October 8th we recognize the two year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that hit South Asia. To mark this day, the South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund (SAERF) is distributing the first of its quarterly newsletters to our donors and friends to report on progress in the earthquake-affected areas and share updates from SAERF grantees and partners. In this issue you will find:

Messages from Sanford I. Weill and Moeen Qureshi
Update on the Reconstruction in Pakistan
Updates from SAERF Grantees
SAERF's work with Corporate Partners
Thank You to our Donors
Earthquake Second Anniversary Events

MESSAGE FROM SANFORD I. WEILL
Chairman Emeritus, Citigroup
Chairman Emeritus, CECP

"When the South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund was established almost two years ago, we were confident that the U.S. private sector would respond to our call to aid the people and communities affected by this tragic event. And they did. Their compassion and generosity far exceeded our expectations with cash and in-kind donations of more than $116 million and by sharing their time and expertise to the effort.

As we observe the second anniversary of the earthquake, our hearts go out to those who lost family and friends. I am proud of the role the U.S. private sector has played in the relief and rebuilding efforts and I am confident that our work will help revitalize the region and restore hope to its people."

MESSAGE FROM MOEEN QURESHI
Chairman, Emerging Markets Partnership
Former Prime Minister of Pakistan

"I am privileged to represent the Pakistani-American community to the South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund. Over the past two years in this role, I have witnessed the generosity and commitment of the U.S. private sector to the people of Pakistan.

Through collaborations between the private sector and government entities, the Fund is making a lasting impact on those that lost their homes and communities in this devastating event. I look forward to seeing this collaboration between Pakistan and U.S. corporations continue with the SAERF rebuilding initiative."

Over the past few months, reconstruction efforts in the earthquake-affected areas have faced considerable challenges with relentless heavy monsoon rains causing floods, wet construction conditions, and landslides throughout the region. These factors, in combination with Pakistan’s tense political situation, have negatively impacted the reconstruction efforts according to the Government of Pakistan’s Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA). However, ERRA stresses that the challenges will not hinder the overall efforts to rebuild and cannot diminish the great successes that have been made over the past two years.

Click here to learn more.

UPDATES FROM SAERF GRANTEES
-- Highlights from the Field --

Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund
Despite the challenges of a difficult monsoon season, SAERF's grantee for reconstruction projects, the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), has been successful at keeping their budget below original projections and now plans to construct 2 additional facilities under the SAERF grant, for a total of 16 SAERF-funded health and education facilities built in the earthquake-affected area.

Learn more about PPAF's SAERF-funded facilities.

Aga Khan Development Network
"SAERF's generous contribution to the Aga Khan Development Network--Multi-Input Earthquake Reconstruction Program (AKDN-MERP) has significantly advanced our health and hygiene program in Chakhama Valley, Azad Jammu Kashmir. SAERF's simultaneous support of the rehabilitation of water supply schemes complements the principles underlying the multi-input nature of the program with the aim of improving the public health status in Chakhama Valley."
– Miraj Khan, Program Director, AKDN-MERP

Learn more about SAERF-funded Aga Khan programs.

American Refugee Committee International
"I would like to express my heartiest gratitude to our great supporters who came together with the ARC team to respond to the disaster and provided much needed financial backing. A huge thanks to SAERF for its enormous support and assistance. SAERF is the main donor for health care facilities in Bagh. Without this essential funding, many desperate people would lose access to fundamental, live-saving, quality health care."
– Louise Paterson, Country Director, ARC Pakistan

Learn more about the SAERF-funded ARC programs.

International Rescue Committee (IRC)
“In the past two years, our partnership with CECP has allowed us to assist earthquake victims reconstruct their communities in the critical areas of health and education. The flexibility of CECP and SAERF enabled us to respond to health emergencies while also developing the local community’s ability to manage their own healthcare.”
– Piet deVries, Deputy Director, IRC Pakistan

Learn more about the SAERF-funded IRC programs.

SAERF is fortunate and extremely grateful to have corporate partners donate their expertise to guarantee the success of this initiative. SAERF is currently working with our partners at Bechtel and Deloitte who donate their time and skills to help monitor the SAERF-funded reconstruction and rehabilitation grantees.

Learn more about SAERF's work with Bechtel and Deloitte.

THANK YOU TO OUR DONORS

SAERF is grateful to all the companies, organizations, and individuals that have contributed to this initiative.

For a list of the SAERF corporate and foundation donors please click here.

EARTHQUAKE SECOND ANNIVERSARY EVENTS

To commemorate the second anniversary, ceremonies and events will be held throughout Pakistan.

To learn more about these events and the involvement of our NGOs please click here.

SUMMER 2007 SAERF DONOR UPDATE REPORT

Read about the success of this unique initiative and the current grantees funded by SAERF.

To read the Summer 2007 SAERF Donor Update please click here.

SAERF ONE YEAR REPORT

Learn more about the initial relief programs supported by SAERF.

To read the SAERF One Year Report please click here.

SAERF FEATURED IN NEED MAGAZINE

Read about the success of corporate philanthropy initiatives and the achievements of SAERF's unique collaboration in NEED, the Humanitarian Magazine.

To access the article, please click here.

CONTACT US
Avigail Ziv
Fund Manager, South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund
Aziv@CorporatePhilanthropy.org
212.825.1264

The South Asia Earthquake Relief Fund (SAERF) was started by five distinguished private-sector executives, with the support of President Bush, to raise funds and awareness for the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that struck South Asia in October 2005. SAERF is a unique collaboration that brings together corporations, government entities, and nonprofit organizations to create a sustained response to the relief and rebuilding of the South Asia region.

The Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) is the only international forum of business CEOs and Chairpersons focused on raising the level and quality of corporate philanthropy. Membership includes more than 165 CEOs and Chairpersons representing companies that account for over 40% of reported corporate giving in the United States.

www.CorporatePhilanthropy.org/SAERF