Singapore, 16 June 2017 - Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has committed a total of US$100,000 in relief supplies for people affected by Cyclone Mora in Bangladesh and Myanmar. SRC disaster responders are also on standby for possible deployment to the affected areas.

SRC has contributed US$50,000 to the Bangladesh Red Crescent to provide food, shelter, livelihoods, water, sanitation and hygiene for 50,000 affected people.

Tropical Cyclone Mora made landfall in Bangladesh on 26 May and has affected 3.3 million people there. Severe storms and landslides have worsened the situation in the 8 affected districts - Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Khagrachhari, Bandarban, Rangamati, Feni, Noakhali and Bhola.

Cyclone Mora also made landfall in Myanmar, where it swiped away the roofs of hundreds of homes, buildings and schools. SRC provided US$50,000 to Myanmar Red Cross for the purchase of tarpaulins, CGI sheets, student and teacher kits for those affected in Myanmar. This is particularly important with the reopening of schools for the new term.

Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General/ CEO, Singapore Red Cross said “We have been monitoring the progress of the cyclone that developed in the Bay of Bengal and made landfall in Bangladesh in late May. The prolonged rainy season has forced many families from their homes and the number of stranded and missing people and fatalities is expected to rise. We will continue to monitor the situation to see how else we can provide assistance.”

Note: The SRC is not launching a public fundraising appeal at this point. 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 payable to ‘Singapore Red Cross Society’ and posted to the above address. Please indicate 'Cyclone Mora' on the back of your cheque. Donations to overseas efforts are not tax deductible.

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.

Photo by International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent (IFRC): Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh, 2017. Following Cyclone Mora, Bangladesh Red Crescent staff and volunteers were on the ground to conduct assessments to determine the affected communities' most urgent needs. The cyclone left severe damage in its wake, destroying homes, infrastructure, and uprooting trees.