We got a note this morning from Angela Kearney, UNICEF Representative in Indonesia, who’s just returned from the earthquake zone, and I wanted to share a few of her words and a picture that demonstrate–for me, at least–the incredible spirit of children, and the incredible resolve of UNICEF:

Situation reports have been coming in from UNICEF’s field staff across Asia-Pacific and the numbers are devastating–all told, 7 million children have been affected by last week’s natural disasters.

People across the country have demonstrated incredible generosity (we’re so thankful that the $500,000 challenge issued last week by an anonymous donor for the Philippines has been been met), and continued support will be needed for UNICEF to continue its lifesaving work for children whose lives have been turned upside down.

If you would like to support UNICEF’s relief efforts in the region, you can make a donation here. (Or click here if you’re interested in supporting work in a particular country.)

The earthquake that struck Indonesia’s West Sumatra province last week left hundreds dead, hundreds of thousands of families and children without homes. “Every one of those children is acutely vulnerable to potential disease, lack of shelter, disruption to education, and the traumatic effects of living through such an experience,” said UNICEF Country Representative in Indonesia, Angela Kearney. This is one of those children, in Padang:

People have asked us how they can support relief efforts in specific countries affected by the recent spate of disasters in Southeast Asia and the Pacific — you can use the links below if you are interested in donating to help children in a particular country:

• Cambodia
• Indonesia
• Laos
• Philippines
• Samoa Islands (including Tonga)
• Vietnam

p>We’ll keep you posted on UNICEF’s lifesaving work for children in all of these disasters. And if you simply want to make a donation in support of relief efforts for children in the overall region, click here.

As always, on behalf of all of us here at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, thank you for your commitment to helping UNICEF save children’s lives.

Details on the situation in and around Manila below, but first: because of the increasing needs and potential for further destruction by storms headed for the northern Philippines right now, a generous U.S. Fund for UNICEF donor is matching all donations in support of UNICEF’s relief and rehabilitation efforts up to $500,000 through October 6 — please give now if you and can spread the word about this opportunity.