MCYS MEDIA RELEASE NO: 03/2005
          DATE OF ISSUE: 14/01/2005

Singapore’s voluntary welfare and non-government organisations (VWOs and NGOs), companies, corporations and community groups are offering their help to rebuild some communities in the tsunami-hit countries.

2          Over the past three weeks, there has been considerable collaboration and exchange of information amongst the numerous VWOs, NGOs, the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) and the government agencies.

3          These efforts include:

(A) Weekly meeting to facilitate information exchange

4          A group of over 10 VWOs/NGOs first met on 29 Dec 04.  Weekly meetings have been convened since then, with the most recent one held on 12 Jan 05, chaired by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and NVPC. The network has grown to some 30 VWOs/NGOs and corporates. This meeting provides a useful platform for information exchange on the various projects being planned and how the agencies can work with one other for greater effectiveness and reach. To help the VWOs/NGOs have a holistic understanding of the relief efforts, Government agencies are also present to provide updates on the efforts in the different countries. MCYS and NVPC have been keeping in touch with VWOs/NGOs and providing updates on the latest developments, on a daily basis.

(B) Matching of needs and resources

5          NVPC has been facilitating the collection and storage of donated items at two warehouses provided by SembCorp Logistics. Inventory updates of available items are circulated among the organisations to facilitate the distribution of these donated items.

6          MCYS and NVPC are also working with Network Indonesia, which has offered many donations in-kind through its corporate members, such as generators and mobile phones, to VWOs and NGOs that need them for their rebuilding work overseas.

7          An online intranet database of needs and resources has been created to help VWOs and NGOs identify available resources, be it equipment or manpower. This online portal allows all parties to network and keep one another abreast of developments.  VWOs and NGOs that are interested to gain access to this online database can approach Mr Gabriel Goh at gabriel_goh@mcys.gov.sg, or DID: 6354 8391.

Closer collaboration needed in the reconstruction phase

8          The initial rescue and relief phase is coming to an end, and many countries affected by the tsunami, including Indonesia and Sri Lanka, are now entering the reconstruction phase. A group of around 60 volunteers (55 Singaporeans and 5 foreigners, aged between 21 and 53 years old), representing a number of organisations, including the Singapore Red Cross (SRC), YMCA of Singapore, Touch Community Services International, and Mercy Relief are leaving for Meulaboh, Indonesia at 1700 hours on 14 Jan 05 with donations, supplies and equipment. The volunteers will be helping with logistics on the ground including loading and unloading of supplies as well as in their delivery to the areas that need them.

9          Reconstruction requires medium to long term commitment. Singapore’s effort will be greatly enhanced with close cooperation and collaboration among the VWOs, NGOs and corporations, companies and community groups. VWOs and NGOs that lack local contacts in the affected communities or the expertise for reconstruction work are encouraged to team up with organisations that have such networks and expertise.  Such partnerships will consolidate efforts for better focus, and provide more effective assistance.

10        Aid agencies and organisations wanting to go to the reconstruction areas must also be mindful of the safety and security of their personnel, and ensure that they are well informed of the local situation at their destinations. They should keep the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) posted when sending teams abroad, by registering with the MFA or the nearest Singapore Overseas Mission in the country of destination. They can also register online via the eRegister system in the MFA Consular homepage at http://www.mfa.gov.sg/consular. Further information useful to travellers can be obtained at this website. 

Red Cross Committee to facilitate reconstruction efforts

11        The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has set up a committee to oversee and facilitate the people sector’s efforts in the reconstruction phase. It will also liaise with local agencies and governments in the affected areas.

12        One of the immediate tasks of this committee is to evaluate applications to fund reconstruction projects which are implemented by VWOs/NGOs.  The SRC has decided that the money it has raised for the tsunami disaster victims will be available to any Singapore organisation with an interest in supporting the reconstruction effort.   

13        The Committee will also help to coordinate the voluntary sector’s involvement in the reconstruction efforts in the affected countries. The formation of this Committee is timely, given the SAF will be gradually scaling down its presence in Meulaboh and other affected areas.

14        The Tsunami Reconstruction Facilitation Committee is chaired by LG (Ret’d) Winston Choo, Chairman, SRC. Please see Annex A for composition of the Committee.  The Committee will convene soon to discuss their strategies and implementation plans.   

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Annex A

Members of Tsunami Reconstruction Facilitation Committee