THE GOVERNMENT yesterday launched a special fund to help disaster relief efforts in South East Asia and sections of Africa, which were devastated by a tsunami caused by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake on Boxing Day.
Prime Minister P.J. Patterson, who made the announcement yesterday, said the Government would make initial contributions totalling J$15 million.
A release from the Prime Minister's office indicated that the fund is being set up to also receive money from the government, private organisations and individuals. He made an appeal for Jamaicans both here and overseas to contribute to the effort.
INITIAL CONTRIBUTION OF $15 MILLION
"The Government will make the start with an initial contribution of $15 million. A number of corporate institutions have indicated their readiness to make cash donations," the release said.
The tsunami struck several countries in South East Asia and Africa without warning. Since then, the death toll has steadily risen, nearing 160,000 up to yesterday. Health and aid officials have also indicated that millions of people are now injured and without shelter and other basic supplies, putting them at risk of disease. Persons wishing to contribute to the government's special fund can donate money to any branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), account number 9067303 and at the National Commercial Bank (NCB), account number 351029889.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has also set up a worldwide disaster relief fund to assist in the recovery efforts. Contributions are acceptable in both US and Jamaican currencies and should be made to the United Nations Development Programme or directly to Citibank, to an account named UNDP or account number 0021314005.
"While many thousands have died in this terrible tragedy, many others including children were badly affected and are now in desperate need of food and shelter," said David Smith, programme specialist, climate change, environment and energy at UNDP.
