Singapore, 5 December 2015 – The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) today launched an urgent public appeal for funds to aid the survivors of the South India floods. The Government of Singapore will contribute US $75,000 to kickstart the public appeal.

In view of the dire situation in the states affected by the floods; the SRC will first contribute US$150,000 worth of relief supplies, through its Red Cross partners in India. A team of SRC volunteers is on standby to be deployed in the next few days to help distribute the relief items in collaboration with the Indian Red Cross branches in affected states.

The community can make donations at the Red Cross House, from 9.30am to 8.00pm on Mondays to Fridays; 9.30am to 3.00pm on Saturdays and Sundays, with effect from 7 December 2015.

“Millions of people affected by the floods have had to leave their homes and are cut off from even basic necessities. Besides this, the communities in the worst affected region are grappling with problems such as the increased risks of water-borne diseases, and the lack of clean water and proper shelter. We are closely monitoring the flood situation, and remain in close contact with our counterparts, the Indian Red Cross Society and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), to explore how we can further support the relief efforts,” said Mr Benjamin William, Singapore Red Cross’ Secretary General/CEO.

Continuous rain over the last 14 days has caused massive flooding in South India affecting the States of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. In November, the heaviest rain in decades, aggravated by Tropical Cyclone Rovan, brought widespread flooding across the south Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh causing more than 200 deaths and affecting 1.8 million people.

To donate:

Cash/Cheque

Please visit the Red Cross House at 15 Penang Lane Singapore 238486, from 9.30am to 8pm (Mon-Fri), 9.30am to 3.00pm (Sat-Sun), or make your cheque payable to ‘Singapore Red Cross Society’ and post it to the above address. Please indicate ‘South India Floods –Appeal’ on the back of the cheque, along with your name, contact no. and address.

Notes:

• Donations to overseas efforts are not tax-deductible.
• In the event that donations exceed the expenses incurred by Singapore Red Cross in this specific disaster response, any surplus or unspent money, after 3 years from the date of inception of the fund, can be used to prepare for and serve communities affected by other disasters or may be used to complement or to sustain projects undertaken by SRC in helping the vulnerable in areas affected by disasters.

For SRC’s advisory to donors, please click here.

For more information, please call our hotline.