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SINGAPORE : Bringing the different relief groups together to share resources and cooperate - all in a bid to fight against time and get aid to the tsunami victims.
That is the aim of a tsunami relief sharing session hosted by the National Volunteer & Philantrophy Centre.
About 50 representatives came forward.
A medical team from Ren Ci Hospital and Code 4 made a four-day trip to Aceh.
They found out that while there are many relief groups in tsunami-hit areas, relief may still not be reaching the victims.
They believe sharing information between such groups is a step in the right direction.
Dr Ong Seh Hong, COO of Ren Ci Hospital and Medicare Centre, said: "All the NGOs can work together in synergy - supplement, complement each other, it is good to have sharing sessions, they can share information from the ground. I just came back from Aceh and told them what I found pertaining the medical needs there."
This comes in useful for the Singapore International Foundation which is planning a series of trips for youth volunteers to the area in April.
Dr Tan Tay Keong, Executive Director of SIF, said: "The work of rebuilding communities and restoring livelihoods would take months to come. This is not something that one single agency, organisation can pull off in a short term, so we are in this for a long haul. A support system or clearing house of information is very much needed."
Ms Tan Chee Koon of the National Volunteer & Philantrophy Centre, said:
"There was considerable interest among the agencies especially in going in for the reconstruction and rebuilding phase, not only in the sharing of information of what they are doing but sharing of resources, collaborative efforts and build on each other's strengths and go forward as a team.
"While you may not see an immediate blanket Singapore Inc approach, as we work at it, we may well see that coming to pass."
This is the first of a series of such relief sharing sessions between the different groups.
An email contact network is also being set up to bring the groups closer together - all in the name of cooperation and to prevent the duplication of relief efforts. - CNA
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