Relief collection in full swing
BY A STAFF REPORTER
Dec 30, 2004
EXPATRIATE organisations and diplomatic missions have speeded up their drive to collect relief material in aid of the tsunami-stricken people of Southeast Asia.
The Sri Lankan consulate in Dubai has already shipped four containers of dry food and durables to Colombo, Consul General PD Fernando told The Gulf Today on Wednesday.
Three air cargo containers loaded with baby food and milk powder are set to be airlifted free of cost by Emirates Cargo late on Wednesday.
The fifth cargo container to be shipped is currently being loaded at the consulate premises in Satwa where 15 people are working overnight sorting and re-packing the relief material received.
"I make sure that all the material area labeled 'Dubai Charity' to ensure they are not sold in markets," Fernando said, referring to the complaints that such goods often end up with street vendors.
The containers being shipped are loaded with rice, sugar, lentils, wheat flour, bed sheets and towels. Paper plates, tumblers and such disposable material are also being sent.
The 24-hour operations room working in the consulate receives donations round-the-clock.
The containers are shipped free of cost by Balaji Shipping UK Limited.
Picked from the consulate, they are delivered at the ministry in Colombo, Fernando said.
In the second stage of the operation, Fernando plans to collect building material like galvanized sheets to help in the reconstruction and rehabilitation.
Siman
The Sharjah Islamia Madras Association (Siman) has started their collection drive, said M Mohammed Malik, president of the association.
He appealed people to donate clothes. Contact 050 - 6965890 for details on collection points.
The association's secretary A Abdur Rahman is already engaged in relief work in Tamil Nadu, the worst hit region in India where thousands were killed and millions left homeless.
Siman is jointly engaged in relief activities with the Tamil Nadu Muslim Service Movement.
YaHind Relief Fund
YaHind.Com on Wednesday set up YaHind Relief Fund and called on Indian expatriates to donate generously. The money collected will be used for the rehabilitation of the tsunami victims, an official statement on Wednesday said. Those interested may e-mail on yrf@yahind.com.
ICICI help channel
A group of Indian expatriates associated with the ICICI Bank has floated a relief line to collect material to be sent to India.
They called on donors to deposit food items like rice, sugar, milk powder, pulses, canned food and baby food at the collection points.
Clothes and blankets, preferably packed in cartons, may also be donated.
Call Anish (050-6448959) or Suresh (050-4537630) for details regarding collection of the material.
King's Revival
Kings Revival International Charitable Trust FZCO (KRICT), a non-profit registered with Dubai Aid City, has offered to channelise relief to the tsunami victims. Contact 04-2861577 or e-mail krict@emirates.net.ae to know more about how to contribute.
DIIC charity
Dubai Indian Islamic Centre (DIIC) on Wednesday informed that the organisation has received Dubai government's permission to conduct relief operations in India.
Material collected by DIIC will be airlifted free of cost by Emirates airlines as per a direction issued by President of Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, an official release said.
Contributions can be send to DIIC office (04-2726800). Cash donations can also be deposited in favour of DIIC at Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank A/C No 2-022873-6.
Call VP Rasheed (050-6512296) or TV Shamsudheen (050-7156715) for further details.
Lankan website
The Sri Lankan Tourist Board has set up a dedicated website to provide easy access to information on the post-tsunami scenario in that country.
Users can log on at www.contactsrilanka.org where updates are posted regularly.
The site provides information on the latest developments concerning the evacuation of foreign tourists, contact information for hospitals, police stations and airlines.
The status of hotels affected by the Tsunami is also posted on the site, with contact numbers of those hotels still in operation.
The general information hotline is 0094-11-2437061.
Relief efforts
Sharjah Islamia Madras Association - 050 - 6965890 (M Mohammed Malik)
YaHind Relief Fund - yrf@yahind.com.
ICICI Bank relief channel - Anish (050-6448959) or Suresh (050-4537630).
Dubai Indian Islamic Centre - 04-2726800
VP Rasheed - 050-6512296
TV Shamsudheen - 050 ñ 7156715
DIIC collection points are at DIIC office and Dervish Murad Godown (04-2859301).
Indian Muslim Association - 04-2261133 - Liaqat Ali