JEDDAH, 31 December 2004 — Sri Lankan Expatriates Society has set up three centers to collect donations in cash and kind and two others to collect only cash for the victims of tsunami disaster.

The society has appealed to the community to contribute to the disaster relief fund at a drive being held at the consulate from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. today.

“Although some people have survived, almost everyone has lost one or more family members in the coastal region and they urgently need help and assistance,” SLES President Rohan Burah said.

The centers for collection of contributions in cash and kind are Al-Amas Cargo (Gazali 674-1760), Laksiri Cargo (Dilshad 648-4214) and Trico Cargo (Irshad 647-0388). The centers for collecting only cash are Al-Rajhi Bank (Nusuhu Mohamed 642-7151) and Sri Lankan Airlines Office (Chinthaka Bandara 263-2917/263-2959 Ext. 185)

The Thai community, which meets at the Thai Consulate General every Thursday, began contributing to the relief fund for the tsunami victims in their country.

Thai Consul General Sukasem Yothasamutr said the authorities in Bangkok informed him that there might not be a cut in the number of Haj pilgrims due to the disaster.

“Some 3,000 of our pilgrims out of an expected total of 10,000 had arrived by Thursday,” he said.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a 24-hour operating center in Bangkok to follow up the situation, especially to accommodate requests from foreign nationals and organizations, and work closely with representatives of embassies and consulates.

“The country immediately went into action to provide relief measures in the six southern provinces of Phuket, Krabi, Phang-nha, Ranong, Trang and Satun. It has two dedicated websites — www.moph.go.th and www.disaster.go.th — for checking the list of casualties.

In the meantime, Qatar Airways and Emirates have launched big relief operations.

Qatar’s tourism industry, Qatar Airways, the Ritz-Carlton Doha and the Four Seasons Doha have joined forces for a humanitarian relief effort to help stranded passengers affected by the devastating tidal waves that swept across Southeast Asia.

A special Qatar Airways charter aircraft flew to the Maldives in the Indian Ocean on Monday morning to pick up stranded guests of the Four Seasons Hotel Maldives before returning to the Qatari capital. All passengers were accommodated at the Ritz-Carlton Doha, where 130 deluxe rooms were set aside for them, with the main Al-Wosail Ballroom turned into a relief center.

Emirates Airline has also moved to provide humanitarian relief and aid to the tsunami survivors. The first 100 tents of a shipment of 1,000 donated by a local Sri Lankan benefactor have already been dispatched by Emirates SkyCargo from Dubai to Colombo, as well as five tons of foodstuffs from Dubai to the Maldives.

“We’re horrified by the scale of the disaster that has affected so many of the communities that we serve across South Asia. From Emirates staff at airport operations across the region we are hearing that many passengers are arriving in rags. Our people are assisting them by providing clothes, beverages and comfort, and ensuring that they fly home on the first available flight,” said Emirates Airline President Tim Clark.