SGI Organizations Support Haiti Relief Efforts

TOKYO, January 20 - Soka Gakkai International (SGI) organizations around the world have made
donations to assist the relief efforts in Haiti following the devastating
earthquake which hit the country on Tuesday, January 12, 2010.

On January 15, Soka Gakkai Japan Vice President, Kenji Yoshigo, visited
Jean Claude Bordes, Charge d'Affaires at the Embassy of the Republic of Haiti
in Tokyo, to pledge a contribution of 3 million yen (US$32,900) toward
government-organized relief activities. At ceremonies held in Japan on
January 17 to commemorate the victims of the massive earthquake which hit the
port city of Kobe on that day in 1995, Soka Gakkai members offered special
prayers for the victims of the unfolding humanitarian tragedy in Haiti.

SGI members in the neighboring Dominican Republic have donated 2,400
bottles of water, canned food, powdered milk, and crackers to the NPO Socio
Cultural Movement for Haitian Workers (MOSCTHA). Four SGI members from the
Dominican Republic, including two doctors, have traveled to Haiti with
MOSCTHA's team to assist with the provision of emergency medical assistance.

SGI-Venezuela has pledged a donation of foodstuffs, diapers and sanitary
towels through the Venezuelan Red Cross.

SGI-USA has donated US$10,000 to the American Red Cross International
Response Fund and held extended prayer sessions for the repose of the
victims.

Further afield, SGI-Hong Kong has contributed HK$200,000 (US$25,750) to
the Hong Kong Committee for UNICEF in support of relief activities, and the
Taiwan Soka Association has pledged 1 million Taiwanese dollars (US$31,420)
for relief efforts through the Ministry of the Interior which is responsible
for humanitarian assistance.

SGI is a Buddhist association with over 12 million members around the
world that promotes peace, culture and education. Its humanitarian relief
activities are part of the longstanding traditions of socially engaged
Buddhism.

    Contact:
    Joan Anderson
    Office of Public Information
    Soka Gakkai International
    Tel: +81-3-5360-9482
    Fax: +81-3-5360-9885
    URL: www.sgi.org
    E-mail: janderson[at]sgi.gr.jp

Joan Anderson, Office of Public Information, Soka Gakkai International, +81-3-5360-9482, Fax: +81-3-5360-9885, janderson[at]sgi.gr.jp