S'pore govt to contribute S$129,200 to Sri Lanka cyclone fundraising efforts by S'pore Red Cross

The Singapore government has pledged US$100,000 (S$129,200) as "seed money" to help the Singapore Red Cross's (SRC) fundraising efforts for Sri Lankan communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah.

In a press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Dec. 12, it said that the contribution by the Singapore government will supplement the SRC’s pledge of S$50,000 to support the immediate needs of affected communities in Sri Lanka.

President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan have written to Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath to convey their condolences over the destruction caused by the cyclone and the tragic loss of life.

According to the World Health Organization, Ditwah has displaced over 233,000 people, with 410 confirmed deaths and 336 missing.

"Access to clean water remains a critical concern. Food insecurity is rising as farmland and supply chains face severe disruption.

The health system is under mounting pressure, with increased risks of water-related illnesses and reduced access to essential services."

Top image from Akram Nooramith Facebook.