Singapore Red Cross Launches Public Fundraising Appeal For Cyclone-Hit Vanuatu

Singapore Red Cross has made an initial contribution of USD25,000 (approx SGD35,000) for emergency relief

Singapore, 18 March 2015 – The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) today launched an urgent public appeal aimed at raising S$3,000,000 for relief and early recovery efforts in Vanuatu, after Cyclone Pam hit the nation last Friday evening (13 March 2015). The appeal is on the back of an initial disbursement of USD25,000 (approx SGD35,000) from the SRC Disaster Response Emergency Fund.

Tropical Cyclone Pam caused widespread damage and destruction to infrastructure and has left debris strewn across Vanuatu’s capital of Port Vila. According to some estimates, almost half the country’s population have been affected by the cyclone.

Mr Benjamin William, Secretary General of SRC said, “While the death toll is low, many thousands have lost their homes. Thousands more are without shelter or adequate access to food and clean water. Most of the country is without power and communication is very limited. There are tremendous logistical challenges in reaching the affected communities especially in the remote islands. We are appealing to the Singapore public to help the affected people as they recover from this devastating disaster.”

“The Singapore Red Cross will channel the funds collected towards acute emergency relief and recovery assistance for the affected communities and the displaced people,” he added.

The Singapore Red Cross is also planning on sending a response team to Vanuatu to assess the ground needs and provide emergency medical assistance.

To donate

Cheque

Please make your cheque payable to ‘Singapore Red Cross Society’, indicate ‘Cyclone Pam 2015’, donor’s name, contact number and address at the back, and post it to Red Cross House, 15 Penang Lane, Singapore 236486.

Cash

SRC will operate on extended office hours to receive walk-in donors starting from today. Please visit the Red Cross House, 15 Penang Lane, Singapore 236486, from 9.30am to 7.45pm on Mondays to Fridays, and 9.30am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

DBS Internet Banking (Operational from 21 March)

  1. Login to DBS iBanking
  2. Click on “Payment Services” > “Bill Payment”
  3. Select “Cyclone Pam” from the billing corporation list
  4. Select the deposit account to debit donation
  5. Enter telephone number as the Consumer Reference Number and donation amount

DBS / POSB ATM (Operational from 21 March)

  1. Insert your ATM card and select “English” and enter PIN when prompted
  2. Select “iBanking, Cashcard and More Services”
  3. Select “Credit Card/Bill Payment”
  4. Select “Cyclone Pam” from the billing corporation list
  5. Enter telephone number as the Bill Reference Number
  6. Select account type (e.g. Autosave, Current or Savings Account) and enter donation amount
  7. At the confirmation screen, press “Confirm” to complete transaction

Note:

  • Donations to overseas relief are not entitled to tax deduction.
  • The Singapore Red Cross reserves the right to deploy excess funds to underfunded disasters in the same region, so as to ensure humanitarian aid gets to those in need.
  • For enquiries, please call the Singapore Red Cross hotline at 6664 0501 from 9.30am to 7.45pm on Mondays to Fridays, and 9.30am to 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays. You can also email us at enquiry@redcross.sg.

* Normal office hours for donations will resume from Wednesday, 25 March- 9 to 6pm.