The earthquake and tsunamis

This entry was time-stamped 31 Dec 2004 to remain at the top of the page until the end of 2004. I have kept the time stamp in order to preserve the permalink URL for anyone linking directly to the post. However, the real time of the last update was at: Sunday, 2 Jan 2005, 2.05am.



A terrible, terrible disaster. So many wonderful places wiped out and so many lives lost. (Straits Times report) I'm thankful that those of my loved ones that dive were safely home in Singapore rather than exploring the regional waters. Prayers go out to everyone in the region. I will try to link places to donate any aid here for anyone who stumbles onto this site.

How to donate

The South-East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami blog has an amazingly comprehensive list of links of places to donate, and places to get data. I'm just putting a quick few below. Most of this is Singapore-specific information, but the online donations apply to anyone. The devastation in the region is terrible and total. Please give what you can.

Donating online

EDIT: I have set up a link on my sidebar so that people can donate to the American Red Cross through Amazon.

You can also donate through Oxfam, the Red Cross, World Vision, Mercy Relief, or CARE International. Singaporeans with a DBS bank account can also donate to the Red Cross online.

Donating by mail

The Singapore Red Cross Society is hoping to raise S$1 million for the relief effort. You can mail a cheque to:

"Singapore Red Cross Society"
15 Penang Lane
Singapore 238486

Indicate "Tidal Waves Asia" and your name, address and phone number at the back of the cheque.

Donating by ATM

Donations can be made at DBS, POSB, and OCBC ATMs. For DBS/POSB ATMs, after you enter your PIN, select "iBanking, Cashcard and More Services". After that, select "Credit Card/Bill Payment". Choose "Red Cross Tidal Waves Asia" from the list that appears. When asked for your bill reference, enter your telephone number. Choose the account type you want to make the donation from and enter the donation amount.

Donating by phone

From any phone, you can call 1900 112 1226 and 1900 112 1227 to donate $10 or $50 respectively

Those who wish to donate by SMS can do so in the following ways, depending on your network:

SingTel: SMS *1226 to donate $10, *1227 to donate $50
M1: SMS DONATE to 8880 to donate $10
StarHub: Reply to the StarHub SMS to donate $10

Donating in person: cash and cheques

For those who have cash or cheques to donate in person, you can drop by:

• Red Cross House at 15 Penang Lane with cash or a cheque between 9am and 5.30pm (weekdays) or 9am and 12.30pm (Saturdays).
• News Centre at 1000 Toa Payoh North, Singapore 318993 between 9am and 6pm daily from 30 Dec 2004 to 7 Jan 2005.
  

As above, cheques should be made payable to "Singapore Red Cross Society". Please write "Tidal Waves Asia" on the back with your name, address, and contact number.

If you wish to donate specifically to Sri Lanka, cash and cheques (made payable to "Brahm Education Centre Ltd") can also be given to Brahm Education Centre at 9 Geylang Lor 29 #04-02, Singapore 388065, Mon-Fri 10am-5pm and Sat 10am-4pm.

Donating in person: supplies

For those who wish to give in kind, Sri Lankan Airlines is airlifting emergency relief supplies to Sri Lanka daily. They are appealing for:

• portable generators
• water purification tablets
• food staples
• intravenous infusions of saline and dextrose
• drugs like paracetamol and antibiotics
• wound dressing
• other necessary relief supplies
• EDIT 31 Dec 2004 12.49am: Sri Lanka now says they have enough food and medical supplies, what they now need are essentials such as new clothes for women and children, sanitary wear, women’s underwear, towels and temporary housing material (Lanka Business Online)
  

The Sri Lankan High Commission in Singapore can handle all public donations. The High Commission is at #13-07/12, Goldhill Plaza, 51 Newton Road, Singapore 308900, and is open from 9 am to 5.15 pm on weekdays.

Donations can also be dropped off at Ananda Travel's branches in the CBD, People's Park, and Woodlands, and at the following IndoChine restaurants: IndoChine Club Street, IndoChine Waterfront at Empress Place, IndoChine Wisma Atria, IndoChine Holland Village, and Forbidden City at Clarke Quay (free finger food to all donors; please donate by 2 Jan 2005).

Singapore Press Holdings is also collecting emergency supplies. Please bring clothing and blankets and sheets to News Centre, 1000 Toa Payoh North, Singapore 318994, between 9am to 6pm daily until Fri 7 Jan 2005.

The Singapore Buddhist Federation (6586 0250) is also collecting supplies. Please bring all supplies to 88 Recycling Kiosk,Bus Bay, Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery, 88 Bright Hill Road Singapore 574117, from Wed 29 Dec 2004 to 5pm, Sun 9 Jan 2005.

The Tisarana Buddhist Association is also collecting supplies. Please pack them in bags or boxes and label them separately (eg. Food, Blankets, Medicine). Clothes should be separated and labeled MALE, FEMALE, CHILDREN. Boxes are preferred but DO NOT seal. Please bring them to the Tisarana Buddhist Association, 90 Duku Road, off Still Road, from 9am-8pm daily. Last collection: 9 Jan 2005 before 5pm.

The Love & Unity Volunteers Establishment is also collecting supplies. Please bring them to the Love & Unity Volunteers Establishment, 37 Pheng Geck Avenue, Singapore 348232, between 8.30am and 10pm daily. Contact Tommy Yu at 9847 9995 or Raymond Tang at 9733 3276 for more information.

Charity functions

IndoChine is also having a charity night on Thurs, 6 Jan 2005, from 7pm till late at Forbidden City Clarke Quay. All proceeds go to the Singapore Red Cross.

(Some info from TODAYonline and the Red Cross.)