South African banking group Standard Bank has donated R1,2-million to help in the reconstruction of tsunami-ravaged Somalia. That country’s fishing industry was severely devastated by the tsunami that killed thousands and left a trail of destruction in Asia and parts of Africa in December 2004.
The money will be used in the reconstruction of Somalia’s fishing sector.
Standard Bank employees raised money to help the victims of the disaster and the bank pledged to match, rand-for-rand, the total sum raised by its employees. From January to June 2005, staff raised R600 000 and the bank donated an additional R600 000.
”After consultations with the Department of Foreign Affairs, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation [FAO] and the Tsunami Disaster Fund South Africa, we decided to donate the money towards the reconstruction of the fisheries sector in north-eastern Somalia.
”As a result of the disaster, the livelihoods of communities in that coastal area were severely impacted,” said Tina Eboka, Standard Bank corporate affairs director.
”The effort of Standard Bank and its employees will provide real relief to several distressed fishing communities in north-eastern Somalia.
”We are overjoyed that the donations raised, in partnership with the Tsunami Disaster Fund SA, will reach one of the most remote areas affected by the disaster. We wish the UN well in this remarkable task,” said Tsunami Disaster Fund SA trustee Erik de Jager.
Post-tsunami assessments by independent relief agencies such as the FAO indicate that Somalia’s coastal districts of Bandar Beyla, Eyl and Jerriban lost more than 1 300 fishing boats and 1 500 marine engines to the disaster. — I-Net Bridge