South Africans are emptying their pockets this festive season to help victims of the devastating tsunami in South East Asia through a number of emergency response funds set up locally to channel money to needy people — and animals.
Some of these include:
- The South African Red Cross Society, at ABSA, account number 405-259-8774, Heerengracht branch (Cape Town), code 632005 (transaction and deposit slips should clearly state Asia Appeal and be faxed to 021-418-6644).
- The Anglican Church’s account: The CPSA Disaster Relief Fund, Standard Bank, account number 070078394, Cape Town Branch, code 02009.
- The South African Tamil Federation’s Africa/South Asia Disaster Relief Fund, Absa Bank, account number 9133362811, KwaZulu-Natal coastal branch, code 632005.
- Pick’nPay and Netcare 911’s South African Tsunami Relief Fund, Nedbank, account number 1933194200, Sandown branch, code 193305 (fax deposit slips to 011-388-2376). Deposits can also be made at any Pick’nPay till.
- The Council of Muslim Theologians’ Jamiatul Ulama Transvaal-Relief Account, Nedbank, account number 1953 285 937, Fordsburg branch, code 195305; and Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) – Relief Account, Nedbank, account number 1355 154 049, Argyle Road branch, code 131426.
- First National Bank’s FNB Trust – Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund, account number 62075380049, FNB Corporate Account Services Johannesburg branch, code 255005.
According to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA), volunteers in Asia have had to cut loose tethered goats and cattle, rescue cats, dogs and even snakes, and feed surviving dogs on city beaches.
Under five feet of water, the Point Calimere wildlife sanctuary’s many animals — including 1 800 black buck — were all presumed dead, it said.
The NSPCA warned of the potential spread of rabies where hungry street dogs and other animals were roaming.
Displaced animals needed to be fed, treated and placed in safe areas (impounded if necessary) to prevent scavengers being victimised or inhumanely treated for scavenging. Injuries needed to be treated and animals beyond saving put out of their misery in a humane way, it said.
Donkeys and horses should be found and treated not only for their own sake but as part of the rescue mission, as they could go where vehicles could not, the NSPCA advised.
As a food supply, finding animals and keeping them safe and healthy would render a supply of eggs and milk, among others, to the surviving population, it added.
The NSPCA has appealed for donations marked Tsunami and made payable to the NSPCA to be sent to PO Box 1320, Alberton, 1450, or paid directly into its bank account. The details can be obtained at 011-907-3590. – Sapa