SINGAPORE: The scale of the tragedy in Myanmar has moved many Singaporeans to dig deep into their pockets, and their contributions have enabled the Singapore Red Cross, Mercy Relief and The Salvation Army to raise almost S$395,000 so far.

According to the Singapore Red Cross, it has raised nearly S$220,000, while Mercy Relief and The Salvation Army said they have collected about S$125,000 and almost S$50,000 respectively.

Some 150 students at the Singapore Polytechnic were collecting funds on their campus for the victims of Cyclone Nargis on Friday. All the proceeds are going to the Singapore Red Cross.

Christie Iee Phyoe Hiet, a Singapore Polytechnic student, said: "I thought I should do something for the country. My aunty and my uncles are all staying there, so I just want to do my part."

Other fundraising efforts include online publicity and even a click-through payment facility for the polytechnic's staff that will deduct the amount that they wish to donate from their salaries.

Over at the Singapore Soka Association, volunteers have been busy packing relief supplies for the cyclone victims in Myanmar.

Ong Bon Chai, chairman of the Singapore Soka Association, said: "When we got news that Mercy Relief needed help, we immediately responded by rallying all the volunteers to come down. As long as help is needed, we will continue to rally the volunteers."

A S$60,000 consignment has been put together – based on the needs of the ground – by Mercy Relief and the Singapore Soka Association.

Abdullah Tarmugi, Speaker of Parliament and a Mercy Relief adviser, said: "(We are sending) things like tents, water-treatment tablets, cooking utensils and even sanitary napkins because we feel these are the things that are needed for hygiene (purposes)."

This is the first batch of relief supplies that the two organisations are sending to Myanmar's Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement, and they are hoping to send more aid packages by the end of next week.


- CNA/so