Consulates of Asian countries begin relief operations
Relief operations launched by Consulates of Asian countries are under way.
Relief operations launched by Consulates of Asian countries are under way.
Some of the consulates are operating 24 hours to provide information to the community while others are waiting to get the go-ahead from their respective countries.
Individual organisations are also putting in their effort in organising relief operations for the earthquake victims.
Thailand
Somsakdi Suriyawongse, the Thai Ambassador, said the Thai Government had the situation under control at the moment and did not see the need for emergency relief.
"The embassy will be kept open till midnight and embassy staff will be available for people to inquire about loved ones or send funds. In Thailand, we were quite lucky that the damage was less than some other countries. Emergency relief is not needed for the time being because the government is in control of the situation. In future, though, it may be good to have some kind of warning system to alert us to such disasters."
Malaysia
Fadli Adila from the Malaysian Embassy also had full confidence in the government's ability to handle the crisis. "There is an online newspaper from Malaysia that is keeping us up to date on the developments. People can refer to the embassy in case they want to send money or inquire about loved ones. Numerous funds have been set up in Malaysia and there has been a good response so far."
Sri Lanka
P.D. Fernando, the Sri Lankan Consulate, said those who wish to donate money can come to the consulate in Satwa.
"A container will be kept in the consulate and people can put in their donations. What we need is pluses, wheat flour in large quantities, lentils, rice, sugar, milk powder, tea and coffee. We will try to send the packed container to Sri Lanka today or tomorrow morning.
"The consulate will be kept open 24 hours and those who wish to donate money will be given a receipt. All things that people donate will be documented."
Fernando said a 24-hour assistance unit has been established at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka. The telephone numbers are 536-1938 and 242-2220. The fax number is 242-2644
Officials of the ministry are available to assist with queries regarding the whereabouts of victims, visas, clearance of goods. The consulate number in Dubai is 398-9880.
India
K. Kumar of the Indian Community Welfare Committee said: "The committee has already sprung into action. We have been receiving quite a lot of response from the people. We will need to find a warehouse where we will store all the relief goods that are pouring in. We expect to finalise it in a day or two."
Bangladesh
Kamrul Ahsan consul general said: "We have not planned anything. We are still waiting to get details from Dhaka."
Association of Human Values
Prabhakar Rao, chief operating officer said: "Ours is a world wide organisation with headquarters in Geneva. In the Middle East, the office is located at the Dubai Humanitarian City. Among the many activities we have is emergency relief operations.
"Right now, we are shipping relief materials to Indonesia, Sri Lanka and India. The material that we are shipping are clothes, blankets and tents, raw food, medicine and drinking water. People can contact the Rukmini Prabhakar 050-651-8627 or C.N. Srikrishna 050-455-6783.
