Donations - Nationwide SMS Campaign

11:15 PM Internet at Every Where

DiGi Telecommunications, in conjunction with media partners The Star and ntv7, is organising a nationwide SMS campaign to raise funds for the tsunami victims as well as to provide them emotional support. The campaign will start Saturday and go on until Jan 14. All proceeds from the SMS messages sent will be donated to The Star Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund.



DiGi subscribers in Malaysia can contribute money in denominations of RM3, RM5 or RM10 by keying in the amount (eg. RM10) and sending it via SMS to 1996.



Missing Person - Search for Mr.Fernando Bengoechea

10:40 PM Internet at Every Where

(We are posting here this missing person appeal which was sent to us by email even though it's for a Sri Lanka victim.)



"We are searching for my brother, Fernando Bengoechea. We know that he was swept by the waves with his friend, Nate Berkus, and then separated. Nate has been rescued but Fernando is still missing. They were in Sri Lanka at the Sturdust Beach Hotel in Arugam Bay. He is 39 years old, white, 5'8", brown hair, green eyes and has braces in his teeth. - CNN.com". If you have information,please visit http://fernandoandnate.blogspot.com/

Important Info - Thailand Earthquake and Tsunami Information

5:05 AM Internet at Every Where

The website One Thailand provides a comprehensive guide to information, resources and other links to the earthquake and subsequent tsunami which devastated southern Thailand. The page aims to provide friends and families of the missing within Thailand with quick information.



Lists of patients and missing are to be found here.



The link is http://www.onethailand.com/



A lot of information at the site seems to be lagging though, but the amount of information avaliable is extensive nevertheless.

Important Info - Red Cross website for tracking missing family

3:44 AM Internet at Every Where

The Red Cross has set up a website to help families track missing relatives who may be missing due to the disaster.



The address is at http://www.familylinks.icrc.org



Information on the website is gathered by family members in the disaster area who register with the site to allow other family members elsewhere know that they are safe.



Relatives who are seeking their missing also register on the site so that they can be contacted by those they seek at a later time should they be found alive.

Stories - The unknown hero

2:45 AM Internet at Every Where

The quick action of an unknown Caucasian man saved the lives of nearly 200 people at Teluk Bahang beach in Pennag last Sunday. At the approach of the tsunami, the middle-aged man, believed to be a Briton, ran up and down the beach, shouting in English-accented Malay Keluar! Keluar! (Get out! Get out!). After warning the people in the water, the man ran to some youths who were sitting on the rocks by the sea and shouted Keluar! Keluar! again. "Except for a few people in the water, who ignored his warnings, we all ran up to the road, to safety," said Ahmad Hisham Omar. "That man saved a lot of lives". Hisham, a school teacher from Tanjong Malim in Perak, was at the beach with his family at 12.20pm. Describing their saviour. Hisham said the Caucasian man was aged between 50 and 60 "but looked very fit". "I hope to meet the man to thank him. He saved our lives"



An excerpt from an article taken from NST.

Important info - Insurance claims for victims

2:34 AM Internet at Every Where

An article in the NST from Life Insurance Association of Malaysia(LIAM).



Victims' families are encouraged to contact LIAM to ascertain if their deceased or injured family members had taken out insurance policies. Kindly contact LIAM Secretariat at 03-26916628 or email liam-info@liam.org.my

Donations - ASTRO Tsunami Fund

2:21 AM Internet at Every Where

NOTE : Applicable only to Malaysian registered mobile phones.



(Excerpt from Astro's website)

In the wake of the massive earthquake that shook Indonesia and subsequently caused deadly Tsunami sea waves to strike various Asian countries and parts of Africa, including here in Malaysia, victims and survivors struggle to come to terms with the devastation.



We are collecting funds to help the victims of the Tsunami disaster via SMS. It's easy. Just type AMP on your handphone's SMS and send it to 32399. Each SMS is RM1.



Important - Volunteer Bloggers Needed

9:35 PM Internet at Every Where

This blog began life after the tsunami disaster and is fast gaining popularity. The initial plan was to focus on Penang Island only but we are now expanding our coverage to Phuket Island as well. Both islands bearing similiarities being popular tourist destinations and close neighbours. We would like to cover all tsunami affected countries but we strongly believe that focus has it's benefits.



We are now only into our second day and hits are already approaching the 10,000 mark. We lack of resources and we are appealing to fellow bloggers to assist in maintaining the blog. The victims of this terrible tragedy need help and every contribution matters. Please email me at tsunamipenang@gmail.com if you wish to be a contributor. Thanks and God bless.

News - Death toll at 114,000 as at 31st Dec

11:37 AM Internet at Every Where

New figures reveal at least 114,000 people died in Sunday's ocean disaster, as aid agencies struggle to provide relief to the Indian Ocean region. Officials in Indonesia say the number killed there is now nearly 80,000 and the death toll from the worst-hit area is set to rise still higher. UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the disaster was unprecedented and required an unprecedented response. The entire UN family was ready to help people rebuild their lives, he said. Millions who survived the waves now have little water, food or shelter. Relief teams and supplies are pouring into the region but have yet to reach the hardest-hit and most remote areas.

There are reports of desperate people fighting over aid. Aftershocks and fears of new tsunamis have sown panic among survivors in Indonesia and India. Across the region thousands remain unaccounted for since the 9.0 magnitude undersea earthquake off Sumatra that forced a wall of water smashing into coastlines as far away as east Africa.



Confirmed death toll:

1. Indonesia: 79,940

2. Sri Lanka: 24,743

3. India (inc Andaman and Nicobar Is): 7,330

4. Thailand: 2,394

5. Somalia: 120

6. Burma: 90

7. Maldives: 67

8. Malaysia: 65

9. Tanzania: 10

10. Seychelles: 1

11. Bangladesh: 2

12. Kenya: 1

Important - Looking for Stephanie Breteau

11:27 AM Internet at Every Where

Mrs.Pippa Williamson from England is looking for Ms.Stephanie Breteau who lives in The Regency,Gurney Drive. Please update if anyone knows her whereabouts.



(Excerpt from email)

Hello, I have just been on your website. What a catastrophe. I am trying to find out about a friend of my daughter�s who lives at The Regency, Gurney Drive in Penang, although I believe the young lady, Stephanie Breteau, may be in Thailand, any information about what happened in Penang and the rest of her family will be eagerly awaited. We all feel so helpless. Keep up the good work. Mrs Pippa Williamson, Nottingham, England.

News - Foreigners missing or dead

11:23 AM Internet at Every Where

Latest information on foreigners missing or dead. Courtesy of BBC.



Sweden: 44 dead, at least 1,400 missing

Germany: 33 dead, over 1,000 missing

Britain: 28 dead, 50 missing

France: 22 dead, 90 missing

Norway: 21 dead, 430 missing

Italy: 14 dead, 600 missing

US: 12 dead, thousands unaccounted for

Switzerland: 11 dead

Australia: 10 dead, 1,000 missing

News - Aid pledges from non-affected countries

11:17 AM Internet at Every Where

Non-affected countries has pledged donations to countries affected by this global disaster. We thank them.



World Bank $250m

UK $96m

EU $44m

US: $35m

Canada: $33m

Japan: $30m

Australia: $27m

France: $20.4m

Denmark: $15.6m

Saudi Arabia: $10m

Norway: $6.6m

Taiwan: $5.1m

Finland: $3.4m

Kuwait: $2.1m

Netherlands: $2.6m

UAE: $2m

Ireland $1.3m

Singapore: $1.2m



Source: Reuters, United Nations

Donations - Churches in Malaysia join the donation drive

11:05 AM Internet at Every Where

If you are a Catholic and attend church on Friday and this weekend, get ready to donate toward the tsunami disaster fund. The peninsular Bishop has issued a directive for all churches to collect donations during mass this weekend (and Friday).



Post from Lucia (http://jogalong.blogspot.com/2004/12/donations-drive.html)

Donations - Penang/Malaysia's focal point for donations

10:46 PM Internet at Every Where

The Star newspaper,MERCY and the Malaysian Red Crescent Society have joined hands to form 'The Star Earthquake/Tsunami Relief Fund'. It is at the moment,the most well coordinated donation drive in Malaysia. Follow this link for detailed information on how to donate cash or non-cash items. Clothings, foodstuff, mineral water and school equipments are also being collected. A list of collection points in all the major states is provided. This link also describes how the donations will be used and where they will be distributed locally in Malaysia and internationally to other affected countries.

Important Info - State crisis operation hotlines

10:31 PM Internet at Every Where

If you have friends or relatives who you suspect may be missing or have lost contact with in the northern states of Malaysia. Please call the respective crisis operation hotlines.



Penang Island:

04- 2621819 / 2656308

North Seberang Prai:

04-3239122

Kuala Muda, Kedah:

04-4211963

Langkawi, Kedah:

04-9666963

Perak:

05-7215222

Fisheries Dept:

03-26982920

Important Info - Malaysian Foreign Embassies

10:19 PM Internet at Every Where

If you have Malaysian friends or relatives who you suspect are missing or have lost contact with in any of these countries,please contact the respective Malaysian Embassy at the following numbers.



THAILAND:

Consulate General of Malaysia in Songkhla,

+66-74-311 062 / 316 274



INDONESIA:

Consulate General of Malaysia in Medan

+62-61-4531342 / 4535271 / 4523992



SRI LANKA:

High Commission of Malaysia in Colombo

+941-554681/ 554682 / 554683



INDIA:

Office of the Asst. High Commissioner for Malaysia in Chennai

+91-44-24982306 / 2498 2558

Donations - Star/Maybank joint fund for tsunami victims

9:12 PM Internet at Every Where

Maybank Bhd, the country�s largest bank, is teaming up with The Star, to launch The Star/ Maybank Tsunami Relief Fund to collect money for the tsunami victims. In collaboration with The Star, Maybank is offering several channels for those who wish to contribute to the victims of the disaster that affected parts of West Malaysia. Maybank customers (there are more than seven million) and members of the public who wish to donate may do so at any Maybank branch (by cash or cheque) or through third party transfer at Maybank ATMs nationwide as well as via www.maybank2u.com .



The account numbers for The Star/Maybank Tsunami Relief Fund are No: 114013169092 or No: 514011389072. Oversea transfers can be done thru www.maybank2u.com .These accounts will be opened for a month from Dec 29, 2004 to Jan 31, 2005.

Donation - Malaysian National Insurance, Nationwide

9:30 AM Internet at Every Where

Malaysian National Insurance(MNI) a corporation with 26 branches nationwide and one in Brunei has stepped forward to help the victims of the tsunami. They will run a donation drive for two weeks and all their branches will serve as collection centres for the public to contribute cash and kind. The donations will later be handed over to The Star. For locations of MNI branches,check http://www.mni.com.my or call 03-2176 9000.

News - Death toll update 30 Dec

9:28 AM Internet at Every Where

At least 67,715 people are reported dead around southern Asia and as far away as Somalia on Africa's eastern coast, most killed by massive tidal waves that smashed coastlines after a magnitude 9.0 earthquake off Indonesia's coast on Sunday, followed by aftershocks in the region.



Death tolls by country:

Indonesia: 36,268

Sri Lanka: 22,493

India: 6,974

Thailand: 1,657

Somalia: 100

Myanmar: 90

Malaysia: 65

Maldives: 55

Tanzania: 10

Bangladesh: 2

Kenya: 1

Story - Video of tidal waves in Kerunchut Beach,Penang

9:18 AM Internet at Every Where

Tidal waves in Kerunchut Beach,Penang recorded by CHONG THEAN WONG

News - Baywatch alert saved the day, say hotels

7:57 AM Internet at Every Where

Baywatch alert saved the day, say hotels. Baywatch alert towers and the beach boys of Batu Feringghi became heroes when they raised the alarm upon seeing the approaching tidal waves. Their heroic actions had saved the lives of many tourists and holidaymakers. Some of them had also helped out in rescue and the recovery of dead bodies.

News - Generosity of Malaysians

7:51 AM Internet at Every Where

Generosity of Malaysians. The generosity of Malaysians knows no bounds. Whether big or small, when the cause is noble and worthy, Malaysians will rise to the occasion. And it�s all for a noble cause � to show the tsunami victims and their families that Malaysians care and are with them in their moment of grief. It does not matter whether it�s RM10 or RM1mil. Show that you care. May God bless you and all your loved ones.



Stories - Diver saw tsunami forming underwater

7:47 AM Internet at Every Where

Diver saw tsunami forming underwater. First hand account from a diver who saw with her own eyes the tsunami forming at a dive site near an island off Sumatera Indonesia,the epicentre of the underwater earthquake.

Donation - Island Plaza,Tg Tokong,Penang

6:27 AM Internet at Every Where

Island Plaza, the up market shopping complex located along Tanjong Tokong, merely metres away from an area hit by the tidal waves has become the first shopping complex in Penang to begin a donation drive for the tsunami victims. A donation box has been placed on the ground floor of the shopping complex and they will accept cash donations from 11am till 7pm.

The world weeps on Boxing Day

6:14 AM Internet at Every Where

26th December 2004 will go down in history as the darkest day of the 21st century. On this day a great earthquake measuring 9.0 on the Richter scale rocked northern Sumatera in Indonesia and generated tsunamis that swept across Asia. Countries that were affected were Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Maldives, Somalia and others rimming the epicentre of the quake. Without warning the devastating tsunamis destroyed lives and properties, more than 40,000 deaths have been recorded and many thousands more are still missing. The death toll is expected to continue rising as more countries come to grip with this terrible tragedy of catastrophic magnitude.



This blog is set up focusing on just Penang Island. We have resource limitations hence the scaled down coverage. Focus may yield better results too.



The objectives of this blog is to provide :

- information and news on the crisis

- information on where to channel aid and cash donations

- stories from the victims and witnesses



You can help by donating generously to the charities listed here or by passing this URL around. Please help to return our beloved Penang Island to normality.