Four Countries to Benefit From Saudi Tsunami Aid

Mohammed Rasooldeen • Arab News


RIYADH, 3 January 2005 — The Kingdom will dispatch relief supplies to four countries affected by tsunamis that killed more than 150,000 people and rendered millions homeless.

“The countries chosen for aid by the Kingdom include Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Maldives,” a spokesman at the Ministry of Finance told Arab News, adding that two planeloads of relief materials have already been sent to Colombo in the past two days.

Of the two cargo flights to Thailand, one will leave for Bangkok today. He said Indonesia and Sri Lanka would receive at least five consignments, while Thailand and Maldives will get two and one flight load of relief aid respectively.

“Currently, we are working out the flight schedules of these cargo planes in coordination with the respective countries,” the official added.

On hearing the news of devastation, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd, Crown Prince Abdullah and Prince Sultan sent cables of condolences to the leaders of Indonesia, Thailand, India and Sri Lanka expressing shock over the casualties and damage caused by the earthquake-triggered tsunamis.

On Tuesday, Saudi Arabia pledged a $10 million aid package to the victims of the disaster. Under the program, $5 million worth of supplies including food, tents and medicines will be airlifted and distributed through the Saudi Red Crescent to the four countries during the course of this week. Officials from the Ministries of Finance, Health, Information and the Saudi Red Crescent will accompany the cargo to the four destinations.

“The aid will be handed over to the International Red Cross Society (ICRC) through the Saudi foreign missions in the respective countries,” the spokesman said.

In addition to various relief supplies, each consignment comprises 1,500 tents, 7,000 blankets and 2,000 packages of dry rations which includes rice, sugar, oil, milk and infant foods.

Thanking the Saudi government for its generous gesture, First Secretary at the Indonesian Embassy Arif Suyoko said the Saudi aid will reach Medan International Airport in the north of Sumatra island.

“This airport is only 400 km away from the devastated area of Aceh and the supplies could reach the victims quickly,” the diplomat said. “To speed up transportation of relief materials by aid workers from donor countries, Indonesia has issued 50 flight clearances and the accompanying passengers have also been granted visa-on-arrival facility,” Suyoko added.

“The Kingdom has been prompt in coming to the rescue of my country whenever there is a crisis,” said Mohammed Lootfi, the second secretary at the Thailand Embassy. He pointed out that some 4,500 people have been killed due to the monster waves and a large number have been left homeless.