COLOMBO, 20 January 2005 — Eight model Saudi camps will be set up in tsunami-affected Muslim areas of Sri Lanka. The decision to establish the camps was taken at a meeting held under the chairmanship of the Saudi Ambassador in Colombo Mohamed Mahmud Al-Ali at the Kingdom’s mission on Tuesday. Local representatives from Saudi non-governmental organizations such as the International Islamic Relief Organization, World Assembly of Muslim Youth and Shabab Group (Muslim Youth of Saudi Arabia ) as well as officials from Colombo-based Islamic associations were present at the meeting.
“The Saudi mission has brought all these organizations under one umbrella in order to set up the model camps,” the ambassador said. The areas where the camps will be set up include Muttur, Kinniya, Nilaveli, Hambantota, Sainthamaruthu, Maruthamunai, Kalmunai and Mahilakadu. Each organization present at the meeting has been assigned to establish and operate the camps in different areas, Al-Ali said.
A special team from the Saudi Red Crescent will join the activities of the Coordinating Committee for Emergency Relief set up by the embassy.
