INDONESIAN RED CROSS TO DRIVE AID EFFORTS IN MEULABOH

The Indonesian Red Cross will now drive the relief efforts to aid tsunami victims in the town of Meulaboh.

A simple but significant ceremony was held on 18 Jan, in a camp outside Meulaboh where about 2000 displaced residents are currently housed.

During the ceremony, volunteers from the Singapore Red Cross handed out food packets to the people living in the temporary shelter.

A council member of the Singapore Red Cross, Professor Lim Meng Kin, also handed the keys of two new trucks to Chairman of the Indonesian Red Cross, Mr Mar'ie Muhamad.

Professor Lim said he hoped this "small token from Singapore will go a long way in relieving the sufferings of the victims".

About 60 Singaporean volunteers had arrived in Meulaboh on RSS Endeavour two days earlier.

One of them, Mr Eddie Langton, a Singapore Permanent Resident, said: "Although we represent various non-government organisations (NGOs), we have come together as one team, to work together to help and do some good."

"We represent all Singaporeans who want to be here but cannot. And we hope to do Singapore proud," he added.

As a volunteer with the Singapore Red Cross, Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) (NS) Desmond Ee, first arrived in Meulaboh in the week following the disaster.

Now, he is back for a second time, this time helping the volunteers to co-ordinate and facilitate their arrival in Meulaboh, as well as to link up with the Indonesian Red Cross.

"The Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) role will continue to diminish, and the Singapore Red Cross will move forward to do more," he said.

"But the Indonesian Red Cross will take the lead, and the Singapore Red Cross will facilitate them, and provide whatever support they need."

"The Singapore Red Cross will work closely with their Indonesian counterparts to closely co-ordinate their activities," added LTC (NS) Ee (left).

Mr Michael Lee, a financial advisor who took time off his job to volunteer, said he was thankful for the assistance provided by the SAF and was proud of what it had done so far in the relief efforts.

"The SAF has done a tremendous job in providing the initial transport into Meulaboh. It also helped clear the roads so that vehicles can enter."

"With their support, the NGOs have been able to come here at the earliest possible time to help," he said.