Singapore Red Cross assists in restoring family links for survivors of Philippines floods

Singapore, 29 September 2009 – The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has launched a public appeal to raise funds for the survivors of the recent Philippines floods – the worst floods the country has seen in the last four decades.

Titled “Philippines Tropical Storm” Appeal will commence from 29 September and end on 30 October. All donations made to this appeal will be earmarked specifically for the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts for survivors of the Philippines Tropical Storm.

To kick-start the SRC’s appeal, the Singapore Government has contributed US $20,000 towards the SRC’s Philippines Tropical Storm appeal. The Singapore Red Cross will also be contributing US10,000 to the Philippines National Red Cross(PNRC) for its immediate relief efforts.

a)   Restoring Family Links

Apart from just raising funds, the SRC and PNRC will be working together closely to assist with restoring family links for Singaporeans and Filipinos to locate their immediate family who may have been affected by the floods and whom they have difficulty in contacting. Those wishing to contact their immediate families will be given priority over those wishing to find out about their friends. All requests may be made through the SRC via email at philippinesstormredcrossorgsg or contact our hotline at 6334-9152. For more information or updates on the SRC’s assistance to the disaster, please visit our website at www.redcross.org.sg.

b)   Water Purification Units

The SRC has prepared 3,200 units of water purification sets to be sent to PNRC to provide clean water for the survivors of the flood. Estimated at a value of USD30,000, this water purification set uses a simple handheld pump which can filter muddy and dirty water into clean drinkable water. It can filter up to 500 litres of water. The water purifications sets will be delivered to PNRC by Thursday, 1 October.

Said Ms Gwen Pang, Secretary General of PNRC, “Currently, there is a need for food and clean water. Besides aiding in rescue and relief work, the PNRC volunteers and staff have also been assisting the survivors of the disaster to restore family links. This is one of the worst floods we have encountered and we foresee much to be done in the next the rehabilitation and reconstruction phase”.

c)   Monetary Donation

The SRC is accepting cash and cheque donations from members of the public. They can donate in person at the Red Cross House or by sending a cheque.

Walk-in donations:
-   Singapore Red Cross, 15 Penang Lane, Singapore 238486
-   Operating hours:
o   Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm,
o   Saturday and Sundays, 9am to 5pm

Cheque donations:
-   Cheques to be made payable to “Singapore Red Cross Society”
-   Please indicate at the back of the cheque the following:
o   name of donor/organisation (if applicable),
o   mailing address and contact number
o   “For Philippines Tropical Storm appeal”

Donors may also make their donations via Internet Banking with DBS, UOB and Maybank.

As the funds collected are for international relief and assistance, the donation will not qualify for double tax deduction. The SRC will be issuing an official receipt as acknowledgement. The SRC requests that that no donations-in-kind be made due to logistical considerations.