When I first received the news regarding the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Kathmandu in Nepal last Saturday, my very first thoughts were my Nepalese friends and I could not help but to contact them and check if they are fine. Thankfully, all of them are safe and sound.
Image Obtained from CNN International Facebook Page
I’m pretty sure many people would have read the news coverage regarding the devastation in Nepal and personally, I really wish I could take some time off to be deployed to Nepal and assist in the humanitarian efforts but I am unable to do so due to work commitments and my wedding preparations. Hence, the least I could do at this crucial moment in time is to donate money to the Singapore Red Cross Society so that the funds could be used for the relief efforts in Nepal.
Image Obtained from CNN Facebook Page
I don’t know about you but when I saw images of the devastation that the earthquake has caused, my heart just broke and I can only hope and pray that the rescue efforts will be able to function smoothly and efficiently. I’m also really glad that our Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team Academy are taking the initiatives to send our country’s assets and resources to assist in the rescue and I couldn’t be more proud to call myself a Singaporean.
Image Obtained from The Singapore Army Facebook Page
On the other hand, I don’t understand why some people have to associate religion with why the whole crisis started. I am sorry to say this but this is absolutely ridiculous and I can only wish that these people have more empathy and bring their proselytising elsewhere. Some of the tweets that I saw were really distasteful and I can only hope that they will not “opportunistically romanticise sufferings of people for their [own] malicious gain”.
If you are keen to help by donating cash, you can do so from today by visiting the Red Cross House in person at 15 Penang Lane, Singapore 236486, from 9am to 6pm on Mondays to Fridays. If you are donating via cheque, please make your cheque payable to “Singapore Red Cross Society” and indicate “Nepal Earthquake Relief Fund”, your name, contact number and address at the back, and post it to the Red Cross House at 15 Penang Lane, Singapore 236486.
Image Obtained from Singapore Red Cross Facebook Page
Do note that donations to overseas relief are not entitled to tax deduction and that the Singapore Red Cross reserves the right to deploy excess funds to underfunded disasters in the same region, so as to ensure humanitarian aid gets to those in need.
For any enquiries, please call the Singapore Red Cross hotlines at 6664 0501 or 6334 9154 from 9am to 6pm on Mondays to Fridays. Alternatively, you can also email the Singapore Red Cross at enquiry@redcross.sg.