The Singapore Red Cross (SRC) has raised over $3 million in donations since launching its public fundraising last Friday (Aug 28), after deadly floods struck near the Nepal-China border on Aug 26.
At least 1,204 people have been killed and more than 4,200 people remain missing, with thousands more displaced.
SRC chief executive officer Benjamin William said the organisation is grateful for the strong public support, noting that many donors have made their way to the Red Cross House at Penang Lane over the past week to personally hand over their donations.
"This show of solidarity and support will translate into much-needed assistance for communities affected by the floods, helping them through the immediate relief efforts and towards recovery.
"We will honour the public trust by ensuring the contributions are managed transparently and efficiently,” the SRC chief said.
The Singapore Government had earlier contributed US$100,000 (S$127,000) to SRC's fundraising efforts.
It has since deployed a 19-man Singapore contingent, comprising disaster victim identification practitioners from the Singapore Police Force and Health Sciences Authority, and aerial surveillance specialists.
The contingent will be joined by another 14 officers over the next few days.
SRC also provided an update on the $50,000 in humanitarian aid it pledged to its Red Cross and Red Crescent partners, which are working with Nepal Red Cross, for the relief efforts.
It said that the Nepal Red Cross has, as of Sept 2, dispatched 1,520 blankets, 715 mattresses, 1,418 tarpaulins, 392 hygiene kits, 760 dignity kits, 490 buckets, 365 mosquito nets, 80 emergency toilets, 55 first aid boxes, 25 stretchers, and 14 tents across affected areas.
Meanwhile, the SRC has pledged an additional $170,000 in humanitarian aid to support its partners' efforts on the ground, including water purification powders, water filters, and emergency food supplies.
The Restoring Family Links (RFL) service, for those who have lost contact with their family members or have missing loved ones in Nepal or Tibet, also continues to operate in support of affected communities, SRC said.
Those who wish to make a contribution towards the SRC's public fundraising campaign can find out more information from its website.
To date, the nine Singaporeans reported missing following the floods have yet to be found.
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