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Tharman lauds S’poreans’ aid to Nepal

SINGAPORE — An anonymous donor from the Inter-Religious Organisation Singapore (IRO) has contributed S$100,000 towards relief efforts in quake-hit Nepal.

President of IRO Mr Gurmit Singh (left) looks on as Iman Habib Hassan (right) hands over to Deputy Prime Minister Tharman  Shanmugaratnam a cheque donation on behalf of the IRO, for the quake victims in Nepal. Photo. Ernest Chua

President of IRO Mr Gurmit Singh (left) looks on as Iman Habib Hassan (right) hands over to Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam a cheque donation on behalf of the IRO, for the quake victims in Nepal. Photo. Ernest Chua

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SINGAPORE — An anonymous donor from the Inter-Religious Organisation Singapore (IRO) has contributed S$100,000 towards relief efforts in quake-hit Nepal.

Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, who accepted the cheque on the IRO’s behalf, said the growing concern shown by Singaporeans, reflected in the aftermath of the Nepal quake and other disasters abroad, indicates a positive development in society’s mindset.

“The way in which Singaporeans have (become) more aware and concerned about problems in the rest of the world ... is part and parcel of the strengthening of our society, because it also goes together with people becoming more aware and concerned about everyone in their midst,” said Mr Tharman, who is also Finance Minister, in his opening address at a gathering organised by the IRO.

The event, described as an evening of fellowship with the theme Compassion Across Religions Around The World, was attended by religious leaders and foreign dignitaries. The IRO said, in accordance with the donor’s wishes, the money would be used to help displaced children in Nepal, especially those in orphanages.

The IRO said it would enlist the help of non-governmental organisation Corporate Citizen Foundation (CCF) to disburse the funds.

The CCF is a coalition of private firms from various sectors such as healthcare, water purification and civil engineering that seeks to respond immediately to victims in neighbouring countries in the event of a disaster in Asia.

In the aftermath of the first Nepal quake, the CCF despatched two Swift Emergency Evaluation Deployment teams to provide disaster relief. The first team arrived in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, two days after the disaster, while the second team was sent on May 6.

The CCF’s experience on the ground is the reason the IRO has decided to work with the foundation, said IRO president Gurmit Singh.

In response to media queries, the CCF said it would be sending a team to Nepal to assess the situation of two orphanages on the outskirts of Kathmandu, before deciding the aid required.

The CCF also plans to build temporary shelters with zinc roofs that will provide the children with better protection from the elements. Most of the victims are currently housed in tents.

Mr Tharman said the CCP’s involvement is a good sign, as Singapore is witnessing a wide range of emergency-relief initiatives not only from organisations such as the Singapore Red Cross Society, but also from the private sector.

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