• Aid includes Singapore Government’s US$100,000 contribution
• Red Cross prepares for further flooding and landslides as Cyclone Roanu bears down on Bangladesh and Myanmar

Singapore, 23 May 2016 - The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) will distribute US$150,000 worth of relief items such as food, non-food relief items such as household and health kits and clothes to communities affected by Cyclone Roanu, that had left a trail of destruction in Sri Lanka. These items will address the most urgent needs today. The contribution includes US$100,000 from the Government of Singapore, in view of the unprecedented devastating floods and landslides. A team is on standby to be deployed for relief work in the affected communities.

“We are on high alert, watching the storm very closely. Working in partnership with Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, we expect SRC’s humanitarian aid to reach at least 15,000 affected people within the next few days. Our colleagues from Red Cross Societies in Bangladesh and Myanmar had also been pre-emptively evacuating people who are at risk, and we are monitoring the situation round-the-clock,” said Benjamin William, SRC’s Secretary General/CEO.

The Singapore Red Cross has been working in Sri Lanka for more than 10 years, since the deadly Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004. To support its disaster risk reduction strategy and enhance its disaster management capacity, SRC in 2015 funded a Water Safety Project in Gampaha district; training its life saving teams and equipping them with inflatable rescue boats, etc. These efforts would positively impact the current search and rescue operations, and help to save lives in the affected areas.

At this point, the SRC is not launching a public fundraising appeal. However, donations can be made at Red Cross House, 15 Penang Lane, Singapore 238486, during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm). Cheques can be made to ‘Singapore Red Cross Society’, indicating Cyclone Roanu at the back, and posted to the above 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.

About Singapore Red Cross
Singapore Red Cross is a homegrown humanitarian organisation, dedicated to relieving human suffering, protecting lives and dignity and responding to emergencies since 1949. We serve the vulnerable through our blood donor recruitment programme, home and day activity centre for the disabled, transport aid, food aid, and community first aid. We build capacity and resilience through our training academy, and volunteer and youth development. Beyond our shores, we mobilise and translate contributions from the donor community to relief and recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, with the aim of helping communities affected by disasters. For more information, please see www.redcross.sg

About Cyclone Roanu
Cyclone Roanu has affected 22 districts in Sri Lanka, including Colombo, Gampaha, Kegalle, Puttalam and Kurunegala districts. Till date, nearly 300,000 people are affected and more than 90 deaths recorded. Cyclone Roanu made landfall in Bangladesh on Saturday, leaving at least 20 people dead, and the threat of flooding will expand from Bangladesh to Northeastern India and Northwestern Myanmar.

For updates on Twitter, follow @IFRCAsia Pacific @BDRedCrescent @MyanmarRedCross @SLRedCross @SGRedCross
Image courtesy of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society.