Singapore Red Cross Launches Public Appeal to help Sri Lanka

The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has launched a month-long public donation drive, starting 4 June to raise funds to help the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Sri Lanka.

According to estimates by the United Nations (UN) and the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC), hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans have been made homeless and are currently housed in the Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps. At present, the UN, the ICRC, and their supporting partners are currently on the ground to provide the necessary humanitarian relief to these affected by the crisis. These IDPs are in dire need for food, shelter, potable water and family kits for their daily sustenance.

The money collected through the public appeal by the SRC will be used to fund the purchase of the required relief items. The SRC will be working closely with the ICRC to meet the immediate needs of the IDPs in the camps.

To kickstart the public appeal, the Singapore Government will contribute US$20,000 as seed money. The Singapore Government had earlier contributed US$30,000 in April 2009 to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) for humanitarian relief in Sri Lanka.

The SRC kindly requests the public to donate cash as this would allow the SRC the flexibility to meet the changing needs of the IDPs. Donations in-kind will be considered at a later date if there are specific long-term demands. The donation drive will end on 2 July 2009.

Members of the public who would like to contribute to this fund can make their donations through the following:

a) Walk-in cash/cheque donations
Singapore Red Cross, 15 Penang Lane Singapore 238486
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.45pm

Weekends are closed

b)    Cheque donations
Cheques to be made payable to “Singapore Red Cross Society”
Please indicate at the back of the cheque the following:
•        “SRI LANKA IDP APPEAL”
•        Name of Donor/Organizations (if applicable)
•        Mailing Address
•        Contact Numbers

Cheques to be sent to the Singapore Red Cross at 15 Penang Lane, Singapore 238486
Once the cheque is received, an official non-tax deductible receipt will be issued.

For more information on the SRC or the public appeal, the public may log on to www.redcross.org.sg or call the SRC at 6336-0269.