We are encouraged by what Singapore has done so far, but we believe much more is required and more can be done. The world has responded by dispatching relief and pledging two billion dollars to assist these disaster stricken countries. The Appeal is submitted today to the PM's Office with the names of those who signed [72 with Name/NRIC numbers and 35 with just their names]. Another 6 signed after the appeal was submitted 4 with name/NRIC and 2 with their names.
To: The Prime Minister of Singapore,
Mr Lee Hsien Loong
Prime Minister's Office Orchard Road,
Istana Annex Singapore 238823
Fax :6732-4627
5 Jan 2004
Dear Prime Minister Lee,
We grieve with our brothers and sisters in the region for their inconsolable losses, for Singapore too has lost her sons and daughters in this human tragedy. We need to show solidarity with the region in this moment of anguish. We are encouraged by what Singapore has done so far, but we believe much more is required and more can be done. We hope the government will take the lead in providing the sustained support and assistance to the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the tsunami-hit countries. We urge you and the Government of Singapore to reach out more and respond decisively to our region's hour of need by:
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We are profoundly saddened and unsettled by this terrible tragedy that has blighted our region and neighbours in the final days of the year. The human death toll in South and Southeast Asia exacted by the tsunami is expected to exceed 150,000.
The world has responded by dispatching relief and pledging two billion dollars to assist these disaster stricken countries. "International compassion has never been like this." according, to the UN Emergency Coordinator, Jan Egeland. More than 40 countries have pledged support. Japan's pledge of $500 million is the biggest so far. There are also huge pledges from the United States ($350 million) the World Bank ($250 million), the United Kingdom ($96 million), Sweden ($80 million), Spain ($68 million ), China ($60.42 million), and many other partners. France and Germany have also called for a moratorium on debt repayments for some of the affected countries, in particular Somalia and Indonesia.
Yet, the enormity of the devastation and what is needed for the emergency, recovery and reconstruction phase outpace this generosity. Apart from killing at least 120,000 people, the tsunamis injured half a million more, displaced more than a million and deprived up to 5 million people of basic services.
According to the UN World Food Programme Executive Director James Morris "the repercussions of this tragedy are so severe that communities are going to require massive international aid for many months to come".
The aftermath of the calamity poses as much a threat to further losses of human lives. It was highlighted by the UN Emergency Coordinator that, "some 5 million people are at severe risk". It would be necessary to feed more than 1 million people in Indonesia, alone, and more than 700,000 people in Sri Lanka. Feeding will have to take place for several months before societies begin to recover.
Millions more will need water and a sanitation system, and a health infrastructure, as thousands of health clinics have been destroyed, and many millions of wells have been polluted. The World Health Organisation has already warned the another 50,000 people or more could be killed by subsequent diseases. Cholera, malaria, dengue fever and diarrhoeal diseases could take hold in the next week unless fresh drinking water and medical supplies reach the areas affected by the disaster.
The biggest challenge would therefore be the swift rebuilding the infrastructure. While the earthquake and ensuing tsunamis could not have been averted, decisive human intervention can soften the unforgiving consequences of nature.
We in Singapore have been fortunate. Despite being at the doorstep of the earthquake, our homes have been left unscathed as the huge landmass of Sumatra bore the brunt of its violence.
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We are encouraged by what Singapore has done so far, in particular by your visit to and Singapore's focus on the most adversely affected areas of the disaster and being the UN regional coordination centre for international relief operations. However we believe much more is required and more can be done. We hope that the government will take the lead in providing the sustained support and assistance to the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of the tsunami-hit countries. |
We look forward to your favourable reply.
Yours sincerely,
Signed by
Concern Citizens Initiative
Singapore
5 January 2005
Goh Chien Yen, Yeo Lay Hwee, Tan Ee Ching, Christopher Ho, Shana Tan, Kelly Koh 7330204M, Edna Sim, Tan Sian Ju, Patrick Chng, Isabel Ching Hwee San, Yang Eu Seng, Grace Chew, Andrew Goh Kim Tong, Gerald Chew Kong Yen, Choo Leng Jan, Shirani Alfreds, Ramachandran Doraisamy Raghunath, David Tan , Gary Tan, Sinapan Samydorai
Jacob George, Salbiah Ahmad, Jason Wong Joon Chew, Noor Effendy Ibrahim S, Peter Woon, C.Prathivmohan Chandramohan, Gregory Teo Ee Phang, Gene Sha Rudyn S 6826806J, Tan Chong Kee, Sheila Wee, Lee Ser Guan S , Cheryl Frois, Norliyana Binte Nasron, Shafiq Rahman, Nurul Hariza, Edwin Ong, Low Han Siong, Siti Zuraida Bte Abdul Rahim, Muhd Asri Bin Mohd Sa'at S, Phua Kia Ming,
Wilmer Lim, Kwan Chi En Grace, Dr Kuldip Singh, Tan Hsien-LZ, Hanisah Bte Hassan, Safie Bin Edi, Lai Ah Eng, Tay Hwee Lan, M.A. Namazie, Peter Pang, Edena Lai, Lee Sze Yong, Juraidah Senene, Seetoh Kok Fye, Sheena Tan, Joseph Low, Tham Kai Leong- Calvin, Tan Wan Ping, Seetoh Geok Mui - Theresa, Iris Wee Soo Lin,
Nancy Chia, Kek Yen Peng, Melissa Kwee, Cheok Mei-Ing, Ariany Othman, Teo Chu Ying Albert, Chew Oi Lin, Surinder Kaur, Roslinah Rokhim, Geraldine Ang, Renee Chew
Fazlin, Sylvester Sim, Valerie Chiang, Fezhah Maznan, Shaiful Risan, Chris Lee, Muhammad Shafiq Bin Abdul Rahman, Taufik Bin Batisah, Fitriah Abdullah, Wang kok wing , Norsuriati Jamil, Paul Lincoln, Mike Chan, Christopher Low, Melvin Tan Kwang Yong, Lee Ying Qin, Dennis Kwok, Candice de Rozario, Timothy Tay, Tay Kewei,
Sheerin Binte Ghazali, Jabir Mohd Yusoff, Charles Tan, Noora Zul, Michael Tay, Michael Cheng Seow Wee, Angeline Lim, Ng Jin Hao, Elnie Shumastri Mashari, Koh Kim Teck, Lee Huipeng -Jeanne Marie, Yee Niap Chuan, Charmaine Lye, Junainah Saleh, Albert Goh, Bernise Ang, Tan Kong Soon
Signed after the appeal was submitted
Neo kim teng, Nicole Angela Neo Lin Wei, Christopher Neo Ting Wei, Ben Yap
stephanie Ang, Wayne
Sources and Relevant Links:
Think Centre Tsunami Disaster Relief: Sign Appeal Letter to PM Lee 30 December 2004, the invitation for the appeal to be signed
Think Centre:
Signed Appeal Letter to PM Lee
The draft letter for signature.
Today, the final version above was submitted to PM Lee
For further information:
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Sinapan Samydorai
President
Think Centre
HP: 65 - 9479 1906
Tel/fax: 65 - 6425 0709
Email: samysd@pacific.net.sg
URL: www.thinkcentre.org
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