21 March 2011 – The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has pledged USD 500,000 to the Japanese Red Cross Society (JRCS) for their emergency relief efforts in the recent Japan disaster.

This was in response to an update of the ongoing emergency rescue and relief efforts of the Japanese Red Cross Society in a teleconference call held at Singapore time 6pm.

According to Mr Kokawa, Head of International Relief of the JRCS, the JRCS were mobilized with two hours of the disaster and were already at the affected areas to assist in the rescue and relief efforts. At present, there are over 85 medical teams operating out of hospitals and mobile clinics treating survivors with each team comprising of a trained psychosocial nurse. Volunteers and staff at the 2,500 evacuation centres have already distributed over 100,000 blankets, hygiene kits, milk powder and masks to the survivors of the disaster. The survivors have also been given three meals a day and hot showers provided.

To date, a total of SGD 4.1 million have been received through donations via cash, cheque and mobile giving. The money received will go towards the overall emergency and recovery phase of the disaster.

In addition to the USD 500,000 to the JRCS for their emergency relief, the SRC’s has also sent 10,000 bottles of water (500 ml), 1,200 blankets and 200 mattresses to Sendai. The items have since arrived in Sendai and being distributed to the survivors.

The SRC is accepting monetary donations only. All donations made to the “Japan Disaster 2011” appeal will be earmarked specifically for the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts for survivors of this disaster.

Donors are advised that there will not be any tax deductions for donations made to this appeal.

Donors who wish to make a donation may do so through the following:

a) Cash Donations
Donors may make a cash donation at the Singapore Red Cross at 15 Penang Lane (5 mins from Dhoby Gaut MRT Station) during these opening hours:
• Mondays to Fridays 9.30am to 7pm
• Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays 9.30am to 4pm

b) Cheque Donations
Cheque donations to be made payable to the “Singapore Red Cross Society” and sent to the Singapore Red Cross at 15 Penang Lane, Singapore 238486.. Please indicate at the back of the cheque the following:
• Japan Disaster 2011
• Name of donor/organization
• Contact numbers
• Address

c) SMS Mobile Giving
Donors may donate via their mobile phones by sending REDCROSS to 75772. For every sms received, S$50 will be donated to the “Japan Disaster 2011” fund.

d) AXS Stations

Donors may also make their donations at various outlets of the AXS Stations.

Several banks have also come forward to make available their internet banking, ATM and phone banking services. These include:

e) OCBC donation channels

Donors may make their donations via OCBC multiple banking channels. These include the ATM, Internet Banking, Mobile Banking, Phone Banking, PLUS! Internet Banking and PLUS! Phone Banking. Please refer to Annex 1 for the user guide.

f) DBS donation channels
Donors may make their donations via DBS’s ATM and Internet Banking. Please refer to their website at www.dbs.com.sg for information.

g) UOB donation channels
Donors may also make their donations via UOB’s Personal Internet Banking with effect from Wednesday, 16 March. Please refer to Annex 2 for the user guide or their website at www.uob.com.sg.

For more information on the work of the SRC, the IFRC and the JRCS, please visit the, www.redcross.org and www.ifrc.org

Annex 1 – USER GUIDE FOR OCBC Donation channels
OCBC - All donation channels will be opened to OCBC Bank customers after 9am on Tuesday, 15 March 2011, and will end on 13 April 2011

OCBC ATM

1. Select “MORE SERVICES”
2. Select “BILL PAYMENT”
3. Select “PAY TO GOVT / STAT BOARD”
4. Select account to debit from
5. Enter donation amount
6. Enter account number to debit from (for customers with more than 1 account)
7. Enter bill code “5571” for JAPAN DISASTER 2011
8. Confirm bill code entered
Transaction is completed. Please keep transaction receipt for reference.

Note: Applicable to both OCBC and PLUS! cards

OCBC Internet Banking

You can access our Internet banking website at the following link: https://www.ocbc.com/internet-banking/ and follow the step-by-step instructions.

1. Login using your Access Code and PIN
2. Click on Login Button
3. Enter your One-time password from your selected token.
4. At left navigation menu
5. Click on Bill Payment
6. Click on By Account
7. Select your ‘From Account’ to be debited
8. Select JAPAN DISASTER 2011 and enter the amount that you would like to pay.
9. For Bill Reference number, please enter your contact number.
10. Click on Preview button
11. At Preview Page, review your input and click on Submit button
12. At Acknowledgement, a message will be displayed to inform you of the status of your transaction

You may Save/Print your Acknowledgement page for your own reference

OCBC Mobile Banking

1. Log into Secured Mobile Banking with your Internet Banking Access code, PIN and 2 Factor Authentication token
2. Select Bill Payment followed by Bill Payment to Billing organisations
3. Select JAPAN DISASTER 2011
4. Select your ‘From Account’ to be debited
5. Enter your contact number at the Bill Reference no. field
6. Enter donation amount
7. Click on Preview to verify payment details
8. Click on Submit to confirm donation
9. Successful donations would be reflected on your transaction history or monthly statement.

OCBC Phone Banking

Step 1: Call 1800 – 363-3333
Step 2 : Select Language
Step 3: Press 1 for Account Information, Funds Transfer & Other Account Related Services
Step 4 : Enter 7 or 8 digits Phone Code
Step 5 : Enter 6 digits Phone PIN
Step 6 : Press 3 for Bill Payment
Step 7 : Press 4 to select Other Organisation bills
Step 8 : Select “JAPAN DISASTER 2011”
Step 9: When prompted for Bill Ref no, please enter your contact number and press # key
Step 10: Select Account type to debit from (if required) (e.g. Passbook Savings; Account with Statements)
Step 11: Enter Account Number or press 0# to select account number (if required)
Step 11: Enter amount and press # key
Step 12: Press 1 to confirm donation

PLUS! Internet Banking
You can access our PLUS! Internet banking website at the following link: https://www.plus.com.sg/internet-banking/ and follow the step-by-step instructions.
1. Login using your Access Code and PIN
2. Click on Login Button
3. Enter your One-time password from your selected token.
4. At left navigation menu
5. Click on Bill Payment
6. Click on By Account
7. Select your ‘From Account’ to be debited
8. Select JAPAN DISASTER 2011 and enter the amount that you would like to pay.
9. For Bill Reference number, please enter your contact number.
10. Click on Preview button
11. At Preview Page, review your input and click on Submit button
12. At Acknowledgement, a message will be displayed to inform you of the status of your transaction

You may Save/Print your Acknowledgement page for your own reference

PLUS! Phone Banking

Step 1: Call 1800 – 820 2020
Step 2 : Press 1 for Self-Service Phone Banking
Step 3 : Select Language
Step 4 : Press 1 for Account Information, Funds Transfer & Other Account Related Services
Step 5 : Enter 7 or 8 digits PLUS! Phone Code
Step 6 : Enter 6 digits PLUS! Phone PIN
Step 7 : Press 3 for Bill Payment
Step 8 : Press 4 to select Other Organisation bills
Step 9 : Select “JAPAN DISASTER 2011”
Step 10: When prompted for Bill Ref no, enter your contact number and press # key
Step 11: Select Account type to debit from (if required) (e.g. Passbook Savings; Account with Statements)
Step 12: Enter Account Number or press 0# to select account number (if required)
Step 13: Enter amount and press # key
Step 14: Press 1 to confirm donation

Annex 2 – USER GUIDE FOR UOB Donation channels
Instructions for PIB

UOB Personal Internet banking transfer:
A. UOB Personal Internet Banking
1. Login to UOB Personal Internet Banking
2. Select "Bill Payment" on the left navigation panel
3. Select "Quick Pay" on the left navigation panel
4. Select the following from the Billing Organisation List :
“RED CROSS – JAPAN DISASTER”
5. Enter your “telephone number” as the Bill Reference Number
6. Select the deposit account to debit
7. Enter the donation amount
8. Click “Submit” to confirm the transaction.
9. Click “Confirm” to complete the transaction