RPCVs and Peace Corps provide aid Peace Corps is making an appeal to all Thailand RPCV's to consider serving again through the Crisis Corps. RPCVs: Read what an RPCV-led NGO is doing about the crisis an how one RPCV is headed for Sri Lanka to help a nation he grew to love. Question: Is Crisis Corps going to India and Indonesia?

Peace Corps issues appeal to Thailand RPCVs Peace Corps is currently assessing the situation in Thailand, anticipates a need for volunteers and is making an appeal to all Thailand RPCV's to consider serving again through the Crisis Corps. Also read this message and this message from RPCVs in Thailand. All PCVs serving in Thailand are safe. Latest: Sri Lanka RPCVs, click here for info.

At LonelyPlanet.com, a poster named "Trix" posted a plea for information on a friend who was in Thailand as part of the U.S. Peace Corps. Within minutes of her post, another blogger posted a reply, quoting from the official Peace Corps Web site that "all 84 volunteers serving in Thailand have been contacted and verified as safe."



At LonelyPlanet.com, a poster named "Trix" posted a plea for information on a friend who was in Thailand as part of the U.S. Peace Corps. Within minutes of her post, another blogger posted a reply, quoting from the official Peace Corps Web site that "all 84 volunteers serving in Thailand have been contacted and verified as safe."

Web Becomes Clearinghouse of Disaster Info, Relief Efforts

Caption: General view of Ton Sai Bay in Thailand's Phi Phi island, December 28, 2004 after a tsunami hit the area. Nations bordering the Indian Ocean from Indonesia to Sri Lanka clawed through the wreckage of a quake-triggered tsunami for bodies to bury on Tuesday as fears grew the toll would exceed the 50,000 now reported killed. REUTERS/Luis Enrique Ascui

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Dec. 31, 2004 — Friends and family desperate to learn the fate of loved ones thousands of miles away in South Asia are turning to the Internet to plead for news of those who survived the weekend's tsunami disaster — and who didn't.

"My father, Leonel Rodrigues, Portuguese citizen, is missing. He was last seen holding on to a tree inside the Meridien Resort/Hotel in Khao Lak, Thailand," reads a message posted on a special missing persons Web page set up by the BBC. "He was wearing blue swimming trunks. Please help, please!" added Filipa Rodrigues of Macao, who posted the message.

On a similar message board at LonelyPlanet.com, an Englishwoman wrote: "I am desperately looking for my 19-year-old son called Eddie Gibson. … He was backpacking around Cambodia and Thailand. I have not heard from him. He is fair, 6ft tall and blue eyes, with a scar on his right wrist."

In some cases, the Web can bring good news. At LonelyPlanet.com, a poster named "Trix" posted a plea for information on a friend who was in Thailand as part of the U.S. Peace Corps. Within minutes of her post, another blogger posted a reply, quoting from the official Peace Corps Web site that "all 84 volunteers serving in Thailand have been contacted and verified as safe."

Another poster on the BBC site was able to share the good news that he had learned that his mother, vacationing in the Maldives, was safe. "My thoughts go out to all those who like me spent a long time trying to contact my Mum and I hope you all have as much luck as me," wrote Alex Lye of Crawley.

In addition to established travel and news sites, countless blogs, or online diaries, have sprouted up to help Web users locate missing friends and relatives.

However, most of the postings go unanswered, or — worse yet — get news that can't be confirmed. One anonymous poster at a blog site said she had managed to locate a friend at the Thai Muang hospital in Phang Nga, but couldn't verify if she was alive or dead.

When this story was posted in December 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

The World's Broken Promise to our Children Former Director Carol Bellamy, now head of Unicef, says that the appalling conditions endured today by half the world's children speak to a broken promise. Too many governments are doing worse than neglecting children -- they are making deliberate, informed choices that hurt children. Read her op-ed and Unicef's report on the State of the World's Children 2005.

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December 25, 2004: This Week's Top Stories Soldiers of Peace 23 Dec Nepal RPCV discovers new species of catfish 23 Dec Tom Murphy will not seek 4th term as Pittsburgh mayor 22 Dec Richard Celeste is spicing things up 22 Dec Gov. Jim Doyle streamlines state government 22 Dec Namibia Volunteers sworn in 21 Dec RPCV serves as Ukraine election observer 21 Dec Christmas Gifts for Peace Corps Volunteers 21 Dec Estonia RPCV John Isles wins NEA poetry award 21 Dec Director Vasquez decries racism and discrimination 20 Dec RPCV criticizes "harrassment by Russian government" 20 Dec War's horrors turn RPCV's son into pacifist 19 Dec more top stories...

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Changing of the Guard With Lloyd Pierson's departure, Marie Wheat has been named acting Chief of Staff and Chief of Operations responsible for the day-to-day management of the Peace Corps. Although Wheat is not an RPCV and has limited overseas experience, in her two years at the agency she has come to be respected as someone with good political skills who listens and delegates authority and we wish her the best in her new position.

Our debt to Bill Moyers Former Peace Corps Deputy Director Bill Moyers leaves PBS next week to begin writing his memoir of Lyndon Baines Johnson. Read what Moyers says about journalism under fire, the value of a free press, and the yearning for democracy. "We have got to nurture the spirit of independent journalism in this country," he warns, "or we'll not save capitalism from its own excesses, and we'll not save democracy from its own inertia."

RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia survived Monday's attack on the consulate without injury. Five consular employees and four others were killed. Abercrombie-Winstanley, the first woman to hold the position, has been an outspoken advocate of rights for Arab women and has met with Saudi reformers despite efforts by Saudi leaders to block the discussions.

Is Gaddi Leaving? Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.

The Birth of the Peace Corps UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

Vote "Yes" on NPCA's bylaw changes Take our new poll. NPCA members begin voting this week on bylaw changes to streamline NPCA's Board of Directors. NPCA Chair Ken Hill, the President's Forum and other RPCVs endorse the changes. Mail in your ballot or vote online (after Dec 1), then see on how RPCVs are voting.

Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying Congressman Norm Dicks has asked the U.S. attorney in Seattle to consider pursuing charges against Dennis Priven, the man accused of killing Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner on the South Pacific island of Tonga 28 years ago. Background on this story here and here.

Your vote makes a difference Make a difference on November 2 - Vote. Then take our RPCV exit poll. See how RPCV's are voting and take a look at the RPCV voter demographic. Finally leave a message on why you voted for John Kerry or for George Bush. Previous poll results here.

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