A year has passed but the pain remains

7:15 AM Internet at Every Where


Heart wrenching sight. An unindentified man grieving on a beach in Thailand.


We will never forget that day. 26th December 2004.


Thousands of lanterns released on a beach in Thailand to commemorate the dead.


Rows of candles lit up in Stockholm in memory of those who perished.


A grief stricken Thai woman whose brother was killed by the tidal waves.

Profile of world tsunami monetary aid

3:20 AM Internet at Every Where

The Indian Ocean tsunami generated record promises of help by scores of governments around the world.

Reuters Tsunami Aidwatch was set up to measure how much of the money pledged after the Dec. 26 disaster is converted into actual funding for relief and reconstruction in the region.

In previous emergencies donors have often failed to honour their pledges � for example the United Nations says donors paid less than half what they promised after Hurricane Mitch which killed 10,000 people in Central America in 1998.

Private aid

The tsunami response has been unusual in that members of the public have in many cases given almost as much as their governments, and in some instances - eg United States, Britain, Switzerland and Mexico - they have even given more.

The total aid figure also includes an estimate for these private donations. This figure can only be approximate as it is impossible to account for every dollar dropped into every collection box for every one of the multitude of agencies helping in the region.

Some governments have kept tabs on private donations but the majority have not so we have also used information from the larger aid agencies. The figure $0 next to private donations on the bar chart means no information was available.

In some cultures people may be loath to say how much they have given to charity as it could be seen as boasting. In other places, big private donors may not want to disclose how much they have donated for tax reasons.

Official aid

Government aid comes in many forms � outright grants, military logistical help, debt relief, in-kind donations and concessional loans.

Aidwatch pledge figures may differ from those given by donors where they include concessional loans. The reason is that donors tend to express loan pledges in terms of the sum lent whereas we have estimated the actual cost to the donor of lending that sum.

For example, Australia says it has offered a A$1bln aid package. But as half this is in the form of loans we have estimated how much it will cost Australia to lend A$500m. This works out at A$451.3. See below for more details.

Pledges and allocations are based on announcements and information from the donors along with official statistics. Totals may not always match totals stated by donors because of the inclusion of different categories of aid allocations. Explanatory notes for individual countries can be found by clicking on the tab marked "What's your country doing?" and then clicking on a country in the list.

Allocations include not only money that has been disbursed but also funds that have been formally approved for a specific purpose even if they have not been physically handed over.

Aidwatch data excludes routine contributions by governments to multilateral organisations such as the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Department. But it does include supplementary tsunami-related contributions where known.

Data includes debt relief or loans that borrowers are no longer required to pay back but not debt moratoria or changes in debt-repayment schedules.

Where possible, currencies were converted at mid-May rates.

How we worked out the grant element of loans

To create a consistent measure of tsunami aid, we have put concessional loans on the same footing as outright grants by establishing the "grant element" of the loans. This is done by calculating the "cost" faced by the donor - in other words, what the donor loses as a result of the transaction. For interest-free loans, the cost to the donor is that of the interest payments it would otherwise have got if it had lent the money at market rates. For a low-interest loan, it is the difference between interest payments received and market rates.

To calculate the grant elements both of Australia's zero-interest loans to Indonesia and the Asian Development Bank's loans we have used a discount factor of 10 per cent. This discount factor is used by the ADB in its internal calculations. In our estimates it is used both to calculate the value today of a repayment made in the future, and as the assumed interest rate the borrower would have to pay on the open market.

To calculate the grant elements of the floating rate ADB loans to Sri Lanka, Indonesia and India we have assumed they are equivalent to a fixed rate loan and made the conversion at the 30-year 'swap rate' at which floating rate dollar-denominated loans can be traded for a fixed interest rate (approximately 5.00 per cent as of mid-May, 2005).

Tsunami loans - Summary


* Converted at US$/A$ rate of 1.287 prevailing in mid-May
** ADB's standard discount factor and the rate used for calculations of interest foregone by lender
*** Involves assumptions about nature of loan yet to be clarified by ADB

Source : AlertNet

Key facts about the tsunami rebuilding effort

3:13 AM Internet at Every Where

Around $13.6 billion has been pledged by donors around the world to rebuild Indian Ocean countries after the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami, which killed around 230,000 people, the U.N. Envoy for Tsunami Recovery says.

It is more than enough to meet the estimated needs.

Here are some key facts about the tsunami relief and rebuilding effort, which the United Nations says was the most generous and most immediately funded international emergency relief effort ever.

* Total damages: $10.73 billion; rebuilding costs: $10.375 billion.

* Number of countries affected: 13 (Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, Madagascar, Maldives, Malaysia, Myanmar, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania, Kenya, Bangladesh)

* Number of people displaced: 2,089,883

* Number of people who lost their livelihoods: 1.5 million

* Number of houses reduced to rubble: 392,544; number needed: 308,000; number built or under construction: 46,000

* Number of boats destroyed: 103,829

* Ratio of women and children killed to men: 3:1

* Total time of earthquake that triggered the 2004 Asian tsunami: eight minutes (Sources: U.N. office of the Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery, Oxfam International, Reuters Alertnet)

Source : Reuters

A year has passed but we have not forgotten

9:32 PM Internet at Every Where

Today is exactly one year from the day the deadly tsunami waves struck. More than 200,000 people lost their lives in one of the worst natural disaster in the history of mankind.

A year has passed now and the worst is over but the reconstruction will continue for years to come. Hundreds of thousands of people today are still living in temporary homes and are still trying to come to terms with the magnitude of this tragedy.

Sitting here in the comfort of my home and writing this post, an array of emotions tingle through me when I think of that fateful day exactly one year ago. Sadness,for the many people directly affected by the tsunami. They have lost so much. And all so suddenly. Humility,for having realised that live can be so fragile and that our world and all things we hold dear could come crashing down on us any moment without warning. We should all live life each day as if it were our last. Anger,for feeling so helpless and weak when the tsunami struck. Relief,for knowing that there is still good in the hearts of humans. What amazes me most from this tragic event was the solidarity shown by people from all over the world regardless of nationality, colour or religion. For once we forgot our differences and the world came together and stood as one.

I wish to pay tribute to all those people who had so selflessly and kind heartedly helped the victims directly or indirectly. You may have donated some money,you may have shared some words of sympathy,you may have helped out in a collection centre. Whatever it was, however small you thought it was, all of it was worthwhile. Every little bit had helped the victims in some ways or another, I'm very sure of that.

To those who died, I pray that you find peace. To their families and loved ones, I pray that you will find the strength to move on in life. What has happened,has happened. We must move on but we don't have to forget. The memories of those who died in the tsunami will forever remain in our hearts.

We will all always remember December 26th 2004.

Looking for Dr. Arifin Sutan Sjahrir

10:45 PM Internet at Every Where

I am hoping to hear some news of Dr, Arifin Sutan Sjahrir, or any member of his family in Malaysia who can enlighten me on their situation. I have heard nothing from him since the Tsunami. We corresponded as friends prior to the disaster.

Many thanks

D.R.Holmes
England

NOTE:If you know anything of Dr Arifin,please email the admin of this blog. Thanks.

5.9 - West Coast of Sumatra

8:58 PM Internet at Every Where

I felt a small tremors and blogged about this in my personal blog.

Date : 11 Oct. 2005

Time : 11.07 pm

Place : Penang

Did anyone feel tremors? I do. Just a mild one but the water in the aquarium did shake a bit.

True enough, an earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Ritcher scale struck off the west coast of Sumatra at 11.05pm.

Confirmed by the Meteorological Department.

I wonder if other Penangites/Malaysians feel the tremors?

The Deadly Dec 26 Tsunami That Changed Our Lives Forever

6:51 AM Internet at Every Where

It has already been eight months since the deadly Dec 26 tsunami hit Asia. This terrible tragedy which struck us so suddenly will forever remain in our memories for generations to come.

I live in Penang Island. A quiet, peaceful and beautiful tropical island located in Peninsular Malaysia. An island that is reknowned for it's pristine white sandy beaches and is a very well known and popular tourist destination. On December 26 2004 - pandemonium struck. Giant waves swept into the coastal beaches of Penang and our lives changed forever. We now realise how fragile life really is and how easily it can be taken away from us.

When the tsunami first hit Penang, there was a news blackout for a few hours and many did not know what had really happened. You would be surprised that in some places no one even knew the magnitude of the disaster only until a few days later.

I started this blog six days after the Tsunami hit. It was a spur of the moment kind of thing. Blogs are powerful tools for disseminating information. I only realised this after having started this blog. There were several satisfying and notable accomplishments that this blog achieved. I received many emails and most of them were from people all over the world that were concerned about their loved ones and friends. There were even a few cases where this blog had successfully reunited long lost friends! I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the contributors of tsunamipenang.blogspot.com who had helped me so much in running and maintaining this blog. Especially Cynical-Idealist, DannyFoo and Eric Ho.

A friend of mine who works in a popular hotel in Batu Ferringhi which is the most popular beach destination in Penang for tourists, told me that their room occupancy rate had dropped tremendously after the tsunami tragedy. As we all know,the tourism and hotel industry are always sensitive to such things. However, tourists are slowly returning now which is a good thing.

Yes. The Asian Tsunami was a terrible tragedy but the fact remains that life goes on and that we should never live life in fear. Staying away doesn't help. I truly hope that more tourists would return to Penang, Phuket, Bali and also to the other countries that were hit by the tsunami.

Here are some useful links for more information on Penang Island.
Penang - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Penang Community Forum
Tourism Penang : The official website of Penang by the Penang State Tourism

Latest report on last night's quake

12:06 AM Internet at Every Where

322 officially confirmed dead in Indonesia,based on latest official reports from Indonesia. The Indonesian authorities estimate that the death toll may amount to 1000 or 2000. Nias, a small island off the western coast of Sumatera was directly and most badly affected. The quake has been re-rated to 8.7 on the Richter Scale.

Quake puzzles tsunami experts. Many expected this quake to trigger a tsunami devastation similar to that of December 26,however,strangely it did not. Only a small wave was detected by a tide gauge on Cocos Island near Australia, about 2400 kilometres south of the epicentre. Some scientists believe the depth of the quake was the reason no tsunami was generated. The US Geological Survey said Monday's quake struck about 30 kilometres under the seabed. The December 26 quake was closer to the surface. This example goes to show the difficulties in predicting tsunamis.

Situation in Penang Island.
At 2.30am today. About 2.5 hours after the quake, the roar and humming of motorboat engines could be heard along the beach areas. Possibly, patrol boats scampering along the coastal seas of Penang trying to warn the fishermen who were out at sea of a possible tsunami attack. The local authorities have reacted to this new tsunami threat remarkably quick and it shows that they are now prepared. We have learned from the past.

7.00am. The worst to fear was over. The tsunami that everyone feared would strike again never did happen. It was already past 5 hours from the time the quake occurred.

4.00pm. The loud buzz of helicopter rotor blades can be heard throughout the day since dawn. Helicopters can be seen patrolling the skies of Penang Island. The noise that these helicopters produce are a little unnerving, but it's assuring to know that the local authorities are taking all precautions necessary to help prevent another disaster.

8.2 Magnitude Scale Earthquake Shakes Aceh

11:00 AM Internet at Every Where

Aceh, Acehkita Earthquake of an 8.2 Magnitude scale returns to shake Aceh and the North Sumatera. The Aceh people are reported to be in a state of panic and nervous that there will be a repeat of the December 26 tsunami incident.

Until this news comes down, communication to Aceh remains confidential. Acehkita tried contacting the Meteorological and Geophysical Body of Banda Aceh but couldn�t be connected as all communication has been cut. In conjunction, the US Geological Survey Group reports the quake happened at 23:10PM. According to the readings, the quake happened at a distance of 205KM off the Sibolga shores, Northern Sumatera at a depth of 30KM below sea level.

Our contributor in Aceh at Banda Aceh reports, during the earthquake for 5 minutes, it caused an outstanding panic situation. Electric power was out. People were running aimlessly in the darkness of night. Some people were running out of their homes with valuables. �I�m really afraid of another tsunami like the past December,� said one person.

Because of that, some people are busy seeking higher territorial ground like Blang Bintang, in Aceh besar, roughly 35KM from the center of Banda Aceh.

At Peuniti, Banda Aceh, some people are loading valuables from their house onto vehicles to move then to higher territories. At Beurawe, people are running in the direction of the mosque. Prayers chants can be heard from mosques. The panic situation has caused a massive traffic jam on the bridge of Simpang Surabaya.

Bireuen is also in a state of panic. The Polsek and Koramil members are working to calming the public that have brought out valuables from their homes. After hearing the orders, people have shifted their valuables back into their homes. But the public still prefers to anxiously stay outside their houses.

Minutes after the earthquake, our Acehkita contributor at Bireuen just arrived at the Kuta Blang beach to observe the ocean calming.

In the meantime, at Lhokseumawe, people living in the villages (Pusong Baro, Pusong Lama and Ujong Blang) near the beach are running towards Kandang and Panggoi. Our Acehkita contributor at Lhokseumawe reports, TNI are in time to prevent people from fleeing to outside the city. An earthquake also happened at Pidie.

Mukhtar, a Lhokseumawe citizen said that he managed to flee with his family just in time without reason. �What�s important is to be far away from the ocean in anticipating if another tsunami occurs,� he said.

Translated From: AcehKita.com

Indonesians living in coastal areas are evacuating

10:33 AM Internet at Every Where

NTV7,a Malaysian TV news channel reports that the Indonesian authorities have ordered an evacuation of residents living in the coastal areas off Aceh and it's vicinity. Military lorries and soldiers were shown assisting in the mass evacuations.

In Malaysia, the TV news channel also reported that Malaysian government officials and emergency units are on the alert. People living in coastal zones of Penang Island, Kedah and Langkawi are urged to temporarily move to higher grounds in fear of another tsunami attack.

Image hosted by Photobucket.com
The latest earthquake recorded on a seismograph. Taken from ChannelNewsAsia

Will this be as bad?

9:56 AM Internet at Every Where

As I am sitting here at 2am in the morning, many things run through my mind.

I felt the tremors at around 12.10 midnight worse than the one that cause the tsunami. My neighbours who evacuated to the open ground also agreed with this. We are staying at Medan Lumba Kuda, a low rise, 5-storey apartment.

I can't help but wonder if our little island in Penang will be spared this time, should there be another tsunami? Are we prepared this time? What are we supposed to do? There are so many questions running through my mind.

Being a mother to school going children, in St. Xavier Institution and St. Xavier Primary School, I am definitely not going to allow them to go to school tomorrow morning. I cannot bear the thoughts of not having them near me. The last time when the tsunami happened, it was during the school holidays. They are home. What if something like this happened when our children and spouses were away. I cannot imagine the agony I will feel.

I had blogged a little about the tremors at my new domain at http://chanlilian.net.

It is sad that even in our little peaceful island, we have to worry about these things now. I pray that we will all be safe and there will be no more tsunami.

Warning! Possible tsunami threat

9:45 AM Internet at Every Where

It was reported in CNN that Thailand has issued a warning that the quake could bring a tsunami to its southern provinces. The warning, which was carried on national television, cautioned people in the six provinces to be careful and vigilant, but did not order evacuations.

Malaysians should be vigilant too. The epicentre of this latest Indonesian quake is very close to the location of the recent boxing day quake that triggered the deadly December 26 tsunami. Preliminary reports of this latest quake measured 8.2 on the Richter Scale, but based on witness accounts throughout Malaysia, the tremors that were felt were must worse.

Tremor was felt throughout Malaysia and Singapore

9:37 AM Internet at Every Where

Areas reported by bystanders to have felt the tremor:

Bagan
Bangi
Bukit Jalil
Cheras
Cyberjaya
Ipoh
Kajang
Kedah
Klang
Lumut
Manjung
Pahang
Puchong
Penang
Subang
Wangsa Maju

Singapore

Source: Low Yat Forum

Buildings in Penang shook violently

9:04 AM Internet at Every Where

Mount Erskine,Penang: An eyewitness reported that his apartment block located in Mount Erskine,Penang shook so violently that many residents scrambled down to the ground level for safety,himself included.

Georgetown,Penang: An eyewitness living in a double storey grounded house reported that the whole building shook and even photoframes on the walls were displaced.

Butterworth,Penang Mainland: An eyewitness in Butterworth reported that his computer monitor shooked violently for a few minutes. He also claims he saw street lamps on the street outside his house swaying!

Earthquake confirmed in Northern Sumatera, Indonesia

8:46 AM Internet at Every Where

The earthquake has been reported by US Geological Survey that it measured 8.2 on the Richter Scale. Much stronger than the previous one on December 26th.

The epicentre of the quake was reported to have been at sea off the coast of Medan Indonesia at Indonesian local time 11:09:37 PM on Monday, March 28, 2005.

Note: Malaysian local time is an hour ahead of Indonesia's.

Image hosted by Photobucket.com

Malaysian mobile phone lines are down

8:34 AM Internet at Every Where

Malaysia.12.40am

Maxis mobile phones lines are all down. They are either jammed up or something terrible has happened. Let's pray it's the former.

BIG EARTHQUAKE FELT AT 12.10AM MALAYSIAN TIME!!!

8:23 AM Internet at Every Where

Malaysia,29 March 2005,12.10am.

A huge tremor was felt in Penang, Butterworth and as far as Teluk Intan Perak just minutes back. It lasted for a few minutes and witness accounts say that it felt stonger than the recent earthquake on December 26th.

News - Black Eyed Peas, Backstreet Boys Head To Malaysia For Tsunami Relief

7:38 AM Internet at Every Where

What unites poeple, regardless of their age, race, religion or creed, is a tragedy that claims an insurmountable loss of life and, in its wake, leaves the living forever scarred. And what happened on that fateful day - Dev 26 last year - would be echoed through time, for such a tragedy will not be easily forgotten. Even now, months since the Tsunami tragedy, the outpouring of help and support continues.

Black Eyed Peas, Backstreet Boys, Boyz II Men, Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean are teaming up to raise money for tsunami victims by throwing a concert in a nation within the devastated region: Malaysia on March 18 in Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil,Kuala Lumpur. Under the banner Force of Nature for Tsunami Aid, the concert will also present Hong Kong stars such as rocker Nicholas Tse, singer/actress Yumiko Cheng, and international celebrity Jackie Chan. The slate of Malaysian acts set to appear includes veteran singer Sheila Majid, Dayang Nurfaizah, Anuar Zain and vocal group Innuendo.

Organizers hope that the Force of Nature concert reminds people not only that the relief effort is far from over, but also that a bigger power than the tsunami could be the human spirit.

The Force of Nature concert tickets are priced at RM82, RM182, RM242, RM352 and RM552 and can be booked through www.axcess.com.my or you can call 03-77115000. For more information on Force of Nature, you can visit the website at www.forceofnature.org.

Locating friends - Kenneth Rodriguez and Rizal Razman

8:41 AM Internet at Every Where

I am writing to you because I have not heard from two of my friends in Malaysia since the tsunami occurred. I only have their e-mail addresses to contact them and I have had no response. Their names are Kenneth Rodriguez and Rizal Razman. Kenneth works for Motorola and Rizal works for the University as a professor. Is there any way I can find out if they�re okay? Please let me know. Thank you for your help! From Trisha Voeltz.

You can email her here.

Info - Volunteer Vacation

4:35 AM Internet at Every Where

Don't know what to do for the approaching summer or spring break?

Why not travel to an exotic holiday destination to have a taste of tropical paradise and at the same time lend a hand to help the tsunami victims in Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak,Thailand.

Alternatively, you could also head to Sri Lanka to help rebuild homes for families of poor fishermen.

Generosity, compassion, and kindness are all food for the soul. Be a part of the global humanitarian effort. As one volunteer in Thailand expressed, �I came to realize that the victims, both the ones who died and the ones who survived the tsunami, are the same as those who have come to help them. For they would do the same for us had things turned out just a little bit differently.�

News - Former US Presidents Visit Indonesia's Tsunami-Devastated Aceh Province

7:23 AM Internet at Every Where

20 Feb,Aceh,INDONESIA, Former U.S. Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton toured Indonesia's Aceh region Sunday to see firsthand the destruction caused by the December 26 earthquake and tsunami that struck a dozen Indian Ocean countries. The aim of their visit is to keep donor interest alive during the rebuilding phase. Mr. Bush and Mr. Clinton met with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono Sunday before flying to Aceh Province. They discussed accountability and transparency in the distribution of aid. Indonesia is ranked as one of the world's most corrupt countries but Mr. Yudhoyono reassured the former presidents aid money would be spent wisely. Mr. Bush and Mr. Clinton then flew over Aceh, much of which was destroyed by the tsunami. Roads and bridges are gone, and whole communities have been wiped out. Mr. Clinton said he had never seen anything like the Aceh destruction. He estimated it would take three to five years for the region to recover. More than 290,000 people were killed by the December 26 tsunami, most of them in Aceh. More than a million were displaced. Mr. Bush says he hopes their visit will help aid efforts. "What we want to do is just to be sure that we keep the interest of the American people up, the private sector so they will continue to generously support whatever efforts are determined best on the ground," said George H.W. Bush.

Source : VOA News

News - Tsunami uncovers ancient city in India

7:15 AM Internet at Every Where

MAHABALIPURAM,India. Archaeologists have begun underwater excavations of what is believed to be an ancient city and parts of a temple uncovered by the tsunami off the coast of a centuries-old pilgrimage town.

Three rocky structures with elaborate carvings of animals have emerged near the coastal town of Mahabalipuram, which was battered by the Dec. 26 tsunami. As the waves receded, the force of the water removed sand deposits that had covered the structures, which appear to belong to a port city built in the seventh century.

The government-run archaeological society and navy divers began underwater excavations of the area on Thursday.

Source : Sun Sentinel.

News - Asian tsunami deadliest natural disaster in 500 years

8:05 AM Internet at Every Where

The death toll from the earthquake-generated tsunami in Asia made 2004 the deadliest year for earthquakes in five centuries, the U.S. Geological Survey said Thursday. The agency estimated the toll from the Dec. 26 tsunami at 275,950. Waverly Person, director of the agency's earthquake information center in Golden, Colo., said he expects the final count to be even higher.

Based on the agency's estimate, 2004 would have counted an earthquake death toll of 276,856, the second highest in recorded history.

The deadliest quake on record occurred Jan. 23, 1556, when a magnitude 8 earthquake killed an estimated 830,000 people in Shansi, China.

Source : azcentral.com

News - Survivor found 45 days after tsunami

8:02 AM Internet at Every Where

CAMPBELL BAY, INDIA - A young woman who lived on wild fruits and coconuts for 45 days after the tsunami devastated India's Andaman Islands has been rescued. Local police said the 18-year-old was rescued on Wednesday from the southern Andaman island of Pillopanja. Her husband and one-year-old child are missing and presumed dead. Police said another resident returned to the devastated island and found the seriously ill woman on a deserted beach. She's receiving medical treatment for malnutrition and mosquito bites. The young woman fled to the island's forests when the killer waves struck, but did not emerge in time to be evacuated to nearby Campbell Bay island with the rest of the people on Pillopanja who survived the disaster. About 2,000 people are confirmed to have died when the tsunami hit the Andaman Islands. Another 5,500 are still missing and presumed dead.

Source : CBC News

News - Tsunami death toll now at 295,000

3:03 AM Internet at Every Where

Latest Confirmed Death Toll

Indonesia: 242,347

Sri Lanka: 30,957

India: 16,389

Thailand: 5,393

Maldives: 82

Malaysia: 68

Myanmar: 61

Bangladesh: 2

Somalia: 298

Tanzania: 10

Kenya: 1



Total: 295,608



This figures include 127,774 listed as missing in Indonesia and 5,640 in India. Those missing are now considered dead.



In addition, 3,071 people are still listed as missing in Thailand and 5,637 in Sri Lanka but are not included in the toll because of possible double counting.



Source : IOL.CO.ZA

Football for Hope

2:47 AM Internet at Every Where

An all-star soccer match to raise money for tsunami victims is set for Feb 15 in Barcelona's Nou Camp Stadium in Spain. All proceeds from the "Football for Hope" match will go to the Tsunami Solidarity Fund set up by FIFA and AFC. FIFA's player of the year, Ronaldinho, and Europe's player of the year, Andriy Shevchenko, will captain the two sides.



Shevchenko XI

Coaches: Marcello Lippi (Italian national team), Arsene Wenger (Arsenal).

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Italy, Juventus), Iker Casillas (Spain, Real Madrid).

Defenders: Kakhaber Kaladze (Georgia, AC Milan), Christian Karembeu (France, Bastia), Vincent Kompany (Belgium, Anderlecht), Paolo Maldini (Italy, AC Milan), Carles Puyol (Spain, Barcelona).

Midfielders-Attackers: Michael Ballack (Germany, Bayern Munich), David Beckham (England, Real Madrid), Deco (Portugal, Barcelona), Alessandro Del Piero (Italy, Juventus), Steven Gerrard (England, Liverpool), Thierry Henry (France, Arsenal), Raul Gonzalez (Spain, Real Madrid), Andriy Shevchenko (Ukraine, AC Milan), Patrick Vieira (France, Arsenal), Johann Vogel (Switzerland, PSV Eindhoven), Zinedine Zidane (France, Real Madrid).



Ronaldinho XI

Coaches: Carlos Alberto Parreira (Brazilian national team), Frank Rijkaard (Barcelona).

Goalkeepers: Dida (Brazil, AC Milan), Idriss Kameni (Cameroon, Espanyol).

Defenders: Cafu (Brazil, AC Milan), Cordoba Ivan (Colombia, Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Argentina, Manchester United), Radhi Jaidi (Tunisia, Bolton), Samuel Kuffour (Ghana, Bayern Munich), Rafael Marquez Alvarez (Mexico, Barcelona), Lucas Radebe (South Africa, Leeds), Javier Zanetti (Argentina, Inter Milan).

Midfielders-Attackers: Cha Doo-ri (South Korea, Eintracht Frankfurt), Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast, Chelsea), Samuel Eto'o (Cameroon, Barcelona), Kaka (Brazil, AC Milan), Mehdi Mahdavikia (Iran, Hamburg), Ronaldinho (Brazil, Barcelona), Sebastian Deisler (Germany, Bayern Munich), Ji-sung Park (South Korea, PSV Eindhoven), Ludovic Giuly (France, Barcelona), Frank Lampard (England, Chelsea).

News - Politics could sink revamped tsunami warning system

9:01 AM Internet at Every Where

WASHINGTON, Driven by the suffering and destruction from the Indian Ocean tsunami and the potential for a similar calamity in the United States, the White House and Congress have moved quickly to offer plans for significantly beefing up an early-warning system to detect killer waves. Yet despite bright science and good intentions, the long-term success of a more robust tsunami warning system could hinge more on politics and the competition for scarce dollars than on technical wizardry.







Critics who fear that the funds needed for such a project would be at the expense of other existing US natural disaster warning systems say that the best protection, involves technology and education. People must know the warning signs and how to respond. Using an experience in Sri Lanka to illustrate the point. Shortly before the tsunami struck, people flocked to the beach to watch the ocean's dramatic and unusual retreat. That, of course, is a telltale sign of an approaching tsunami, but few people understood the phenomenon.



In my opinion, a tsunami early warning system should not just be a country's burden but a global initiative undertaken, possibly by the UN. A tsunami could hit anytime and anywhere in the world.



Source : Seattlepi.com

News - Tsunami death toll in Indonesia rises again

9:00 AM Internet at Every Where

INDONESIA'S health ministry said today the number of people dead and missing after December's earthquake and tsunami had risen by 1829 to 240,774.



The ministry said the number of people confirmed dead and buried was 113,000, while the number of people missing and almost certainly dead remained at 127,774.



Officials say the missing would only be confirmed dead after one year.



Different government agencies have given conflicting statistics on the casualty figure for the Indian Ocean disaster.

Stories - US civilians lend a helping hand

6:54 AM Internet at Every Where

Mother Without Borders is a group of civilian volunteers from Utah USA specializing in helping orphaned and disadvantaged children. Each year they lead dozens of volunteers who pay thousands of dollars to travel to Africa, where they spend their vacation time building schools or teaching mothers to crochet. They're used to traveling to remote areas but not disaster zones.



Click here to read first hand accounts of their experience and what they had to face at ground zero in Aceh Indonesia, the area worst hit by the asian tsunami.

News - Latest figures from Thailand

9:37 AM Internet at Every Where

Thailand. Latest figures are 5,392 dead, 3,066 missing, 8,457 affected. A mental health assessment of persons in the tsunami affected area will be carried out later this month. A temporary duty-free zone will be declared for the tsunami affected area in hopes of reviving tourism. Hotel occupancy is about 10% in affected provinces, compounding economic disaster.



Source : Wikipedia.

News - "Frustrated Cargo"

7:29 AM Internet at Every Where

Relief workers in Sri Lanka are having a difficult time sorting out piles of donated items that has been sent from all over the world by well wishers. Some of these items are now known as "Frustrated Cargo". Dubbed by relief workers because they are unusable and they just do not know what to do with them. Arctic jackets, sweaters, dress shoes, winter hats and even thongs are piling up in warehouses taking up valuable space. These items were all donated with good intentions but it's pretty obvious not much thought had gone into their selection process!

News - Indonesia death toll rises to 237,000!

9:42 AM Internet at Every Where

Indonesia's dead and missing from the Dec. 26 earthquake and tsunami rose to 237,072 as relief workers dug out more bodies in Aceh province, a government agency said.



More than a month after the disaster, which left more than 280,000 dead or missing in 12 countries around the Indian Ocean, estimates on the number of people needing food aid in Aceh, the worst-hit area, keep rising. The World Food Program is aiming to feed as many as 790,000 people in Aceh, double the amount of people the organization is feeding currently.



Read the full article here.

"In Your Memory" - a song dedicated to the victims of the tsunami

9:42 AM Internet at Every Where

I received a email request to post this up.



Kelly Snyder, a new singer-songwriter from New York wrote and sang this very touching song that she dedicates to the victims of the asian tsunami.



Take a listen, click here or here to listen to this poignant song and accompanying photo montage that says so much about how the world feels...



People from all over the world are truly shocked and saddened by what has happened in Asia and it's really heartwarming to know that despite all the political and cultural divide that's ravaging the world today - there's still kindness out there!



Thank you Kelly and all the best in your music career. You have a truly wonderful voice.

Let's hit the beach of Penang!

12:58 AM Internet at Every Where

Sorry for the irregular contribution. Not sure what to contribute 'cos mainadmin has done a good job compiling all the important news. But there is something that I would like to share with all the Penangites. This is just my personal thoughts related to the tsunami aftermath.



Since the fateful day until now, a month later, I have not taken my children to the beach. Usually, we will go to the beach every weekend, fishing, playing in the sands, swimming or just hanging around. We usually go to Sungai Batu in Teluk Kumbar, behind Dalat School and also Miami Beach. But now...*sigh* we seems to be hanging around shopping malls. Probably because of the heatwave too.







It is time we get back to the beach. Picnics, swimming, building sand-castles, so many things to do at the beaches of Penang.





News - Tsunami bringing long list of profiteers

5:56 AM Internet at Every Where

JAKARTA, Indonesia. -- For those looking to make a buck, head to tsunami-wrecked Sumatra. A land in need of plenty. This disaster, like others before it, has its long list of profiteers. Some are black market vendors making money off misery: pirated DVDs of the tsunami's real-life horror show are now on sale in Indonesia, Thailand and India. But there are also people and companies making legitimate profit from the business of disaster relief. Aid agencies distributing critical food and medical supplies are doing much of their buying locally - pumping millions of dollars into companies that make the dried noodles, rice, mineral water and medicine that gets handed out to survivors. USAID, the American government's foreign aid agency, has spent $39 million in Indonesia since the disaster struck, spokeswoman Roberta Rossi said by telephone from Banda Aceh. Buying supplies is only part of the expense. Cartons of aid need to be delivered in vehicles, and the agency allocated $1 million just to cover the rental of 80 trucks and drivers, Rossi said. Acehnese who speak English are also in high demand by aid agencies and journalists who need translators. The going rate is $50 a day - the rough equivalent of a civil servant's monthly wage in pre-disaster Aceh.



Read the full article here.

News - No laughing matter

5:40 AM Internet at Every Where

New York. The host of a New York morning radio show and the rest of her on-air crew were suspended indefinitely Wednesday for airing a tasteless song parody that mocked victims of the catastrophic South Asia tsunami. The song included references to "screaming chinks" and orphaned children "sold into child slavery." The chorus began, "So now you're screwed, it's a tsunami, you'd better run ... go find your mommy." The song, a parody of the charity single "We Are the World," aired last Friday on Emmis station WQHT-FM, known locally as Hot 97. The station was subsequently flooded with thousands of angry phone calls demanding the firing of morning show host Tarsha Jones, known on air as Miss Jones and her sidekick Todd Lynn.



Read the full article here.

Stories - Indonesian techie group seeks aid

12:04 AM Internet at Every Where

Indonesia. A group of IT techies are setting up wireless Internet kiosks across the Aceh city for aid groups and journalists. The group named The Aceh Media Center (acehmedia center.or.id/eng/) boasted more than 100,000 hits in less than a month of operations. The site includes frequent news updates and has a database of missing persons. Relief groups say that the service has been invaluable in helping them do their work as Banda Aceh slowly rebounds. Distribution and coordination were the biggest hurdles as some people gets rice and needed water; and others got water and needed rice.



The Aceh Media Center is still recruiting help to drive its expansion across the province, asking donors for 40 to 80 laptops, five global-positioning systems, five satellite phones, six pairs of wireless communications, and 20 walkie-talkies, among other things. They also want a solar panel and electrical generators to power the venture.

News - Deadline for tsunami donations in Malaysia

11:52 PM Internet at Every Where

Malaysia. All funds for local tsunami victims, including those set up by the media, must be closed by Feb 1. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, who issued the directive yesterday, said that the last date for the collection of such tsunami-related funds was Jan 31. �After that, all these funds must be closed because the collection to date is more than adequate. We cannot have funds that are open-ended because that will give rise to the possibility of abuse,� he said after chairing a National Disaster Committee meeting here yesterday. He, however, said that organisers of funds for tsunami victims in other countries would be allowed to continue collecting donations. Najib said the collection for local tsunami victims currently stood at almost RM80mil, with nearly half of it already disbursed to the victims through the National Disaster Fund. He said that the committee, at the meeting, also approved aid for local tsunami victims whose household goods were lost or damaged in the disaster. Those who suffered losses of RM2,000 or more would receive RM2,000 while those whose losses were valued at less than RM2,000 would receive RM1,000.



Source: STAR North.

News - Missing considered dead

11:48 PM Internet at Every Where

Malaysians who were still missing in the country or in other parts of the region hit by the tsunami would now be considered dead. To date, 12 Malaysians are still missing � six in Penang and Kedah; and the rest in Phuket, Aceh and Sri Lanka. Their family members were urged to lodge police reports so that they would be eligible to receive the RM20,000 aid from the National Disaster Fund and other national aids.



Source: The STAR.

Stories - Tsunami ghosts haunting beach resorts

12:34 PM Internet at Every Where

Dark stories of ghosts has been spreading like wildfire at the beach resorts that were hit by the tsunami. Many locals in Phuket and Khao Lak claim that they have had ghostly sightings and meetings. One taxi driver in Phuket told a story of having picked up a foreigner and his Thai girlfriend, they were both heading to airport and when the driver turn around to collect his fare, his passengers had dissapeared!



Another story which had been circulating told of locals hearing people crying and partying by the beach but when they went closer to have a look, there was nobody around.



Guards at a beachfront plaza in Patong told AFP one of their men had quit after hearing a foreign woman cry "help me" all night long, and similar stories abound of a foreign ghost walking along the shoreline at night calling for her child.



The local Thais and Chinese have traditionally believed that spirits of people who died violently and unexpectedly will still roam the earth not knowing that they had passed on. Whether these wandering spirits are all hearsay or just rumours caused by mass hallucination, we won't really know.

News - Over 200,000 now

9:16 AM Internet at Every Where

Asian tsunami toll nears 220,000 confirming worst fears

20 January 2005 1539 hrs



BANDA ACEH, Indonesia : The death toll from last month's Indian Ocean

tsunamis shot up to nearly 220,000 as Indonesia reported thousands more

deaths, confirming fears over the extent of the carnage.



Indonesia's health ministry upped its toll by almost 70,000 late Wednesday,

taking the number dead on northern Sumatra island to 166,320.



The figure, reached when thousands said to be missing were listed as dead,

conflicted with a tally of 115,000 from the social affairs department.



However it appeared to be reaching the numbers that officials including the

UN's chief humanitarian coordinator, Jan Egeland, had warned to expect.



continue reading, click here:

Asian tsunami toll nears 220,000 confirming worst fears.

News - Body of fisherman recovered from the sea

3:39 AM Internet at Every Where

Penang, Malaysia. The decomposed body fished out from the sea off the Pulau Betong coast in Penang on Thursday is said to be that of fisherman Lee Kim Lay, 56, who was swept off the beach in Gertak Sanggul when the tsunami struck on Dec 26.



Lee's body was so decomposed that only the head and the spine were intact. His wife believed that the body could be that of the husband's based on the gaps found between his teeth.



A police spokesman said DNA samples had been obtained from Lee's son for comparison.



Four people are still reported missing.



Source: The STAR

Story - Finger rumour hits sales

10:59 AM Internet at Every Where

Penang, Malaysia. The seafood business in Malaysia reportedly has been hit by a post-tsunami rumour that a human finger had been found in a fish's belly.



Fish sales in Penang have plunged by about 50 per cent because of the story, The Star newspaper reported.



To counteract damage from the rumour, fish sellers served free meals to a large crowd in northern Penang state, where most of Malaysia's 68 tsunami deaths occurred.



"We hope the people will start buying fish again and ignore the rumour," said Tan Eng Wan, chairman of the Penang Association of Fish Sellers.



Hundreds of people jostled for the free food and organisers had to call in security guards to control the crowd, the newspaper said.



Source: smh.com.au.

Story - Tourists help rebuild Thai town

10:50 AM Internet at Every Where

A bunch of tourists have traded their swimsuits and sandals for shovel and boots to help rebuild Bang Tao, a village on the Thai resort island of Phuket leveled by the December 26 tsunami.



"You don't really want to be enjoying yourself while something like this is going on," said Russell Kerr, of Maghera, Northern Ireland



Richard Clinton, a policeman from Memphis, Tennessee, said he was moved to help after seeing images of the destruction. "I'm tired of just writing a check. In America, that's how we help," he said. "That's good, but this is better."



Read the full article here.



Source: CNN

News - Death toll nearly 160,000

10:33 AM Internet at Every Where

Indonesia: Confirmed dead at 113,306.



Sri Lanka: The overall death toll for Sri Lanka stands at 29,825. Missing are 5,806.



India: 10,672 dead; 5,711 missing -- 5,625 on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands -- the Indian government says.



Thailand: 5,309 dead, 3,396 missing. Many of the missing are presumed dead.



Somalia: 150, according to the United Nations.



Maldives: 82 dead, 26 missing, says the Maldives' National Disaster Center.



Malaysia: 68 dead, 6 missing.



Myanmar: 59 dead, according to the International Federation for the Red Cross, which is coordinating with the Myanmar government.



Tanzania: 10 dead, according to the U.N.



Bangladesh: 2 dead, according to the U.N.



Kenya: 1 dead, according to Kenyan media.



Seychelles: 3 dead, according to the U.N.



Source: CNN

News - Decomposed body found floating at sea in Penang

10:34 PM Internet at Every Where

A highly decomposed body was fished out from the sea off Pulau Betong Penang here yesterday.



Marine police found the body floating among a pile of rubbish while patrolling the sea about 3.30pm.



The body, believed to be that of a child, was found with only the upper portion and the head intact. It is said to have been in the sea for two weeks.



Balik Pulau OCPD Supt Shuib Husain said the body had been sent to Penang Hospital mortuary. He said they would be calling families of missing tsunami victims to identify the body.



Source: Extracted from The STAR

Missing Person - Daniel Khar from Kuala Lumpur now living in Penang

6:49 AM Internet at Every Where

I wanted to find out if Danny Khar, his wife and son are alright. He is originally from Kuala Lumpur, but was last living in Penang. If anyone knows Danny please send a message back. Thank you.



Please email Dale.

Missing Person - Looking for Yee Vonne Khoo formerly from Oxford University,England

6:46 AM Internet at Every Where

I'm trying to contact a friend called Yee Vonne Khoo who was a student of St

Hilda's College, Oxford University, England between 1999 and 2001. I really need to know that she's ok.



Please email Kulvinder.

Free e-mail manager for your compassion

9:20 AM Internet at Every Where

Malaysian homegrown software developer Chrysanth Software Sdn Bhd has launched a campaign to reward caring Malaysians who have donated to the various funds for victims of the Asian tsunami.



The company will give away free copies of the commercial version of its recently-launched Chrysanth Mail Manager spam-blocking and e-mail management software to Malaysians who have donated RM50 or more to charitable organisations. The campaign ends on Feb 28.



The campaign website is here or you can also fax or e-mail a receipt of your donation to (603) 8076-2918 or tsunamidonation@chrysanth.com



Read the full article here.



Source: The STAR.

Video - Terrifying newly released video clip

9:25 AM Internet at Every Where

This newly released video clip shot by an amateur was first shown on Metro TV Indonesia on Sunday night. The video shows brown murky sea water racing up a busy street and consuming everything in it's path. Vehicles, motorcycles, vans, all sorts of debris and even a huge tree was carried away by the savage waves. People were scrambling to safety and one unfortunate van driver was caught right in middle of the gushing waves. Take notice of the blue van and it's driver still in it, at the beginning of the video clip.



Click here to view the video. It requires RealPlayer.

Donation - Tsunami Fund: Public may donate at 130 main post offices nationwide

9:19 AM Internet at Every Where

Pos Malaysia Berhad (PMB) launched a fund-raising tsunami campaign with Mercy Malaysia yesterday at the General Post Office at Dayabumi Complex here, to help the Dec 26 tsunami victims.



130 main post offices and 35 PosLaju centres nationwide operate from 8.30am to 5pm on Monday to Saturday for goods and monetary donations from the public.



The donated goods have to be in sealed boxes, labelled with its contents and addressed to "Mercy Malaysia - For Victims in Aceh, Indonesia."



As for monetary donations, the preference is for money order or postal order made payable to the "Mercy Humanitarian Fund" at a minimum of RM5. All commissions earned on the purchase of Money Order and Postal Order will be added to the fund.





Read the rest of the Malay Mail article here.





News - Indonesia fears for safety of foreign aid workers

7:44 AM Internet at Every Where

Indonesia's northern tip of Acheh has been an area embroiled by fighting between government troops and separatist groups for many years. The Indonesian authority now claims that these rebels pose as a danger to foreign aid workers, luckily, these claims have not been backed up. Indonesia is arguably the worst affected country by the deadly tsunamis and the death toll continues to rise everyday. Let's hope political and religious differences does not rear it's ugly head at such a critical time and impede the relief efforts which Indonesia so badly needs.

News - Largest tsunami ID center in Thailand

7:34 AM Internet at Every Where

Interpol has set up the largest tsunami identification center in Thailand to help identify the missing locals and tourists through DNA, teeth and fingerprints.



For the full article, go here.

Tsunami survivors face uncertain future

9:33 AM Internet at Every Where

Two weeks after the tsunami struck countries around the Indian Ocean, thousands of survivors are now slowly returning to their homes without knowing what the future holds for them and whether their friends and relatives are alive. Staggered by the scale of the disaster, aid officials said they might have to feed as many as two million survivors a day for six months.



At least five million are now homeless in the tsunami-hit countries.



While victims of the tsunami in Malaysia and Thailand are fast getting back to their normal life with government assistance, the survivors in other places like Aceh and Sri Lanka will probably take as long as 10 years before they see full reconstruction of their districts and provinces.



Read the full article here.



Source: The STAR.

Children around the world pitch in to help

9:06 AM Internet at Every Where

Their contributions may pale in comparison when compared to the millions that their adult counterparts are generously donating, but size doesn't always matter. Their contributions may be small but their little hearts are just as big. Children all over the world with no earning power have come out with many ingenious ways to also do their bit for humanity.



A 5-year-old Milford boy spent a chilly Sunday selling cookies and lemonade to raise money for the tsunami survivors. "There are people who don't have food or homes that need help," said Brandon Dicicco, who set up the lemonade stand on New Haven Avenue as temperatures dipped near freezing. "It's good to help other people."



In Houston,some very young Houstonians rolled out some cookie dough and baked goodies for a chance to help those tsunami victims, and they raised thousands!

help needed at POHD

1:15 AM Internet at Every Where

sorry if this is kind of late but i just heard of it.



help needed at POHD office tonight after 7.00pm to pack lots of stuffs into at least 1000 boxes.



if you are free, do drop in.



POHD relief centre.

pusat keuskupan katolik

290 macalister road

(opposite YMCA)



thanks.

Tsunami survivor raped by rescuer

9:49 AM Internet at Every Where

I couldn't really believe this headline when I first saw it while scouring the web. A teenager in Sri Lanka whose father, mother and seven relatives were all killed by the tidal waves had much to thank when someone saved her. She was the sole survivor of her entire family. A man reached out for her hand and dragged her to safety. This hero of a man had saved her life...or so it seems.(Please try to contain your disgust or anger when you read this article. Evil still lives amongst us.)



Read the article here.



Source: CBS News

News - Collecting corpses to protect the living

9:07 AM Internet at Every Where

Banda Aceh, Indonesia. Fourth-year medical student Agil Daeng may not be treating tsunami victims in hospitals, but his service is just as important � collecting corpses and body parts to prevent the spread of disease.



�As a medical student, I know I should be helping at hospitals. But many people are already here to help the sick,� said the 23-year-old student of Jakarta�s Trisakti University.



�If we do not collect the corpses fast, wabak-wabak cepat merebak (various diseases will spread),� he said, while pulling out an arm out of a mound of earth.



�Thousands of corpses were piled up everywhere. It was as though a bomb had gone off here. The bloated bodies have begun to rot,� he said.



�One pak cik�s mouth was open and maggots were crawling out, macam piring nasi tumpah dari mulutnya (like a plate of rice spilling from his mouth).�



Read the full article here.



Source: The STAR.

Searching for friends Easter and Albert of Kuala Lumpur

10:34 PM Internet at Every Where

I am searching for a friend in KL. During the year 1987 I was in KL Taman Batu near Jinjang Selatan. I was sharing a room in their terrace house there. Her name is Easter, and she was working in the big hospital in Jalan Pahang and he by the name of Albert was working in a carpet company. She had parents in Seramban and he had all his sisters in KL. She looks like a chinese and they both a had child. Last I met them in my coffee shop in Penang with their new born child in 1991. Anyone knows their whereabout,please tell them to email me as now I am in the USA[FLORIDA].

Important - Tsunami victims search site

9:10 AM Internet at Every Where

Story - Fisherman saw unusual signs while out at sea

9:02 AM Internet at Every Where

A Pulau Betong fisherman said he saw unusual signs while out at sea on the day the tsunami hit Penang.



Mohd Romadzi, who is also secretary of the Pulau Betong Fishermen�s Association, said the water was unusually shallow when he set out to sea around 5.45am on Dec 26.



�Normally, I would have to really use a lot of power to get the boat out to sea but on that morning, it just glided through. I decided to go to Pasir Panjang and set out my net but all I could catch was one prawn, which was really puzzling,� said Mohd Romadzi.



Read the full article here.



Source: The STAR

Story - Tales from the darkside

9:41 PM Internet at Every Where

The tourists can still be heard on this Thai paradise isle, only now local people say they are voices from beyond the grave. Devastated by the Indian Ocean tsunami, Koh Phi Phi, a holiday mecca typified in the Leonardo DiCaprio film "The Beach", has become an island inhabited mainly by rescue workers and ghosts. "I heard some foreigners calling out to me last night, saying 'Come on, come on, come and join our party'," said Prajit Sumta, a carpenter who is one of the few Thais to have stayed on the tiny island since the killer waves. "But then I looked round and realised I was all on my own."



Holidaymakers are not the only ones whose spirits are said to be haunting Phi Phi's palm-fringed beaches. "One of the women who worked in the bank came to me in a dream telling me that her body had not yet been found. She wanted to show me where it was," Prajit said.



Read the full article here.



Source: Reuters Alertnet

News - Beware of bogus charity organizations

6:52 PM Internet at Every Where

Please exercise caution and due diligence when donating to charitable organizations, or your hard-earned money could end up not in the hands of the intended tsunami victims but in the hands of heartless unscrupulous people.



At a time of unprecedented giving, the FBI warns that Internet scams are emerging. It's estimated that private donations in the United States have topped $200 million for tsunami victims. Experts warn the spirit of giving can become a breeding ground for fraud.



To avoid having the money going to scam artists, you can research the charities by going to:

Give.Org

Charitywatch.Org

FreedomCorps.Gov



Note: This notice is targetted to American donors only. Donors from other countries are advised to check with their local government authorities or donate only to reputable and well known charity organizations. Email solicitations or appeals should never be entertained.

News - Latest total number of dead

9:27 AM Internet at Every Where

Total number of dead: latest figures



Death toll from the Indian Ocean tsunami, according to government and health

officials



Reuters

Friday January 7, 2005 9.15am



East Africa - 137 (Including Kenya, Seychelles, Somalia, Tanzania and Madagascar)

Bangladesh - 2

Burma - 59

India - 15,684 (dead or presumed dead)

Indonesia - 101,318

Malaysia - 74

Maldives - 74

Sri Lanka - 30,680

Thailand - 5,291



Total - 153,319

Story - Lucy Friedland's article

7:43 AM Internet at Every Where

found this at jeff ooi's blog. since it was a story from penang, and an interesting one, decided to post it here.



mud and makan.



for those who don't understand, 'makan' is the malay word for 'eat'.

News - Pose as tsunami victims at your own peril

7:18 AM Internet at Every Where

Those who pose as tsunami victims and apply for aid do so at their own peril.



They may be jailed for up to 20 years and fined RM10,000 or five times the sum involved whichever is the higher.



Penang ACA director Abu Kassim Mohamed, who gave the warning today, said people who were not affected by the tsunami should not take advantage of the situation to make false claims as this is a serious offence.



Abu Kassim said no report had been received of such claims in the northern states of Kedah, Perak and Penang.



However, ACA officials were on the alert for any complaint or suspicion.



"If you know of any one who has made false claims, please alert us or lodge a police report. The agency will take each complaint seriously.�



He was speaking to newsmen after witnessing the handing over of duties by Perak ACA director Zainol Abdullah to Mohamed Tahir Awang Abdullah, the former Kedah ACA director.



Source: NST

By Email - Thinking of you

7:17 AM Internet at Every Where

Just a tourist who has spent several wonderful holidays in Penang. Hope the island and the people recover. Our thoughts are with Sparkie the tailor opposite the Holiday Inn, Staff at Parkroyal, Golden Sands and Holiday Inn. Especially thinking of Helena and her family at Helena's cafe near the Parkroyal.



McKechnie and Langridge families

News - Malaysia to have it's own tsunami alert centre

7:13 AM Internet at Every Where

Malaysia will set up a tsunami alert centre, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said today.



�We were all caught by surprise on Dec 26. We do not want this to happen again.�



He was speaking to newsmen after sending off the second batch of search and rescue volunteers to Aceh at the TUDM Subang airport.



At present, a tsunami alert centre in Hawaii collects information about possible tidal waves. Pacific Rim countries coordinate and share their observations of the activities in the ocean.



Nazri noted that one of the topics discussed at the emergency summit of world leaders in Jakarta was on having an alert centre in this region. However, its location has not been decided.



He said regardless of the outcome, Malaysia has decided to have its own tsunami alert centre.



�We do not want to be too dependent on the regional centre.�





Source: NST

Video section

7:01 AM Internet at Every Where

A small video section has been added to the sidebar if you've missed it. Viewers are required to have Windows Media Player 9 and above installed. If you don't have this installed, you can download it HERE.

News - Island's sole survivor

5:32 AM Internet at Every Where

When the waves stopped battering school teacher James Mathews, he found himself surrounded by bodies. There was nothing on the horizon except a choppy sea, as every building on his island had been levelled.



Mathews, 42, was the only survivor on an Indian island of 600 people which was lashed by the December 26 tidal waves, reports said on Thursday.



Read the full article here.



Source: news24

Come Home to Penang

10:02 PM Internet at Every Where

This is an advertisement in the Star Metro Northern Region.



Personally, I feel Penang doesn't have to try so hard to make a statement like this because our island has so much to offer to tourists, overseas and local. (The advertisement is accompanied with a write up on how little we suffered from the tsunami.)



Penang has earned a name in the world now as being one of the little island slightly struck by the tsunami. Why not just boost up our promotions on the beauty of the island instead of trying to compare the devastation? We know it is a fact that Phuket, Maldives and Sri Lanka have suffered some repercussions of the tragedies and disasters. So, let us as Penangites take this opportunity to portray to the world how great we were and still are, tsunami or not. Let's try to do our bit to help the families who were affected by the tsunami to get back on their feet and look forward to promote the island.



*I am a new blogger who likes to see things differently. My postings will be mostly thoughts I have on the tsunami and how it affects laymen like me. I have just set up a new blog 'Faces of Penang' and hope to do my part in promoting the island.*



News - Football clubs and fans in England do their bit

9:15 PM Internet at Every Where

Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and other English Premiership clubs pledged at least one million pounds (1.8 million dollars) in aid for victims of Asia's tsunami disaster.



All 20 clubs in the top flight have promised 50,000 pounds each to help provide relief to an area where English football is followed passionately



Read the full article here.



Source : Yahoo Sports

News - Rizal wants to stay in Malaysia

7:51 PM Internet at Every Where

Rizal Shahputra, the lucky Indonesian who spent nine days sitting on a tree trunk afloat at sea and was found by a passing ship, and subsequently brought safely to Port Klang Malaysia wants to stay in Malaysia. Rizal who lost his family, some relatives and his house to the tidal waves hopes he could stay on in Malaysia as he has nothing else to go back to in Banda Aceh.



Read the full article here.



Source : The STAR

News - JPJ to replace victims' lost documents for free

1:06 AM Internet at Every Where

Tsunami victims, who lost their Road Transport Department (JPJ) related documents to the waves will be issued new copies free of charge.



JPJ has also set up temporary counters at relief centres to make it easier for the victims to apply for new copies of their lost documents.



Full article featured here.



Source : The STAR

News - Government to quicken pace of aid being given out

1:00 AM Internet at Every Where

The Government wants to speed up the task of meeting the basic needs of Malaysian tsunami victims before going into the second phase of providing more substantive help such as temporary homes, and aid to repair damaged boats or shops, said Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi.



He said the Cabinet, during its meeting yesterday, decided on an action plan to quicken the pace of the aid given.



�In the second phase, we want to quickly provide whatever assistance is needed to enable them to rebuild their lives. We are already working on constructing temporary homes. We can�t leave them in community and school halls, especially now that schools are reopened after the holidays,� he told reporters here.



Full article featured here.



Source: The STAR

Sharing - A Survivor's Encounter with Tsunami

9:46 PM Internet at Every Where

Posted someone's encounter with Tsunami.



Quite detailed.. Survivor is a Malaysian.



URL: A Survivor's Encounter with Tsunami



News - 11 from Penang off to Sri Lanka

9:37 PM Internet at Every Where

11 volunteers from Penang, some medically-skilled has joined another group of 29 volunteers from other states, making up the 40-member relief team from the Malaysian Buddhist Tzu-Chi Foundation that flew to Sri Lanka yesterday for an eight-day humanitarian stint until Jan 12.



Read the full article here



Source : The STAR

Missing Person - Panadam family, Jelutong, Penang Malaysia

9:04 PM Internet at Every Where

I'm afraid I'm very much overdue to contact a family in Penang. I stayed

with them 29 years ago as a 20 year old exchange student and it has been

quite some time since we've corresponded. The family name is Panadam. I

don't know the mother and father's first names. I called them mom & dad

usually but Encik (Mister I think) in formal times. Their children, younger

than me at the time, would be in their 30's & 40's. Their names are Pushpa,

Rani, Siva, Kahla, Yougein (?), Ganesh & Kumar. Their address at the time

was (approximately, as time causes some memories to fade): 43 Lebuh Raya,

Jalan Jelutong, Penang, etc. I may have the address not entirely correct

as what I've listed is strictly from memory and again, it has been some

time. The mother and father would probably be in their 60's or 70's

(older?) and I would like to make sure they and their family are safe. Is

it possible to have someone in Penang look into this? My mailing address is

P.O.Box 916, Estacada, Or 97023, USA. Thank you very much.



If you have information,please mail us.

Missing Person - Mala Ranbauth and Romie Persaud, Malaysia

7:58 PM Internet at Every Where

I am looking for my friend Mala Ramnauth and her sister Romie Persaud. They were on vacation in Malaysia. They left Canada on December 13, 2004. Please help.



Thank you,

Adassa Wilson

Missing Person - Zulk Ab Rashid, Malaysia

9:42 AM Internet at Every Where

I am trying to locate my friend. His name is Zulk ab rashid and he was the

manager of the national theatre of malaysia. He was on a theatre course with

me at the arden school of theatre and was due to go back to malaysia once

the course ended in July. I am not sure whether he has gone back or not but

all attempts to reach him over here have failed. Please can you help me? My

name is Jaclyn Smith. If you have information,please contact us.

Missing Person - Ahmad Suhaimy Bin Hj Ibraham from Bedong, Kedah and Rosly Bin Ahmad Suhaimy from Perak Road,Penang, Malaysia

9:32 AM Internet at Every Where

We are looking for our Aunt, Uncle and cousins.

Ahmad Suhaimy Bin Hj Ibraham, his wife Timah and thier daughter Salmee

33 Lorong Jati

43b Taman Bandar Baru

Sungai Lalang

08/00 Bedong

Kedah



Rosly Bin Ahmad Suhaimy and his wife Siti Marshinah

Husny and his wife Jamilah

Fahmy and his wife Fazilah

Zohdy and his wife Nurazizah

Zaid and his wife Halily

Last known address 250D Perak Road, Penang



Please ask them to contact; at this email in the UK or phone

Julie OLIVER 0044 2380436483 or

Jennie OLIVER 0044 2380671834 or

Sam OLIVER 0044 1732885191

Stories - Charity work can be contagious!

7:17 AM Internet at Every Where

Humans. Some selfish. Some selfless. Some kind. Some cruel. No human is perfect. Afterall, we are but only humans. True,none of us are perfect, but when in times of need. In the face of human tragedy,the best qualities in us are released. Compassion, kindness and generosity are openly displayed. Humans do extraordinary things when it's needed of us.



Colour, race and religion was all forgotten when Penangites in the name of humanity and in the spirit of unity got together at a community centre in Macalister Road to pack and move hundreds of boxes of relief material such as clothes, mineral water and foodstuff into containers waiting to be shipped to Sri Lanka and Indonesia.







Photo by Lucia Lai

Missing Person - Ted Miles from Bentong,Pahang,Malaysia

6:39 AM Internet at Every Where

My uncle, Ted Miles, has lived in Bentong, Pahang, Malaysia since 1953. He is well-known in the area, having been principal of the Bentong Methodist English School and written a column for the local paper (New Straits Times). He is 78 years old. I do not have a way to contact him and see if he is alright and would appreciate any assistance or information that you could give me on him. I am attaching a recent picture of him.



Thank you,

Bruce Deterding



News - Speed up the distribution of aid in Malaysia!!!

5:57 AM Internet at Every Where

Aid seems to be reaching Malaysians at a very slow rate.



Read about it in this article, TSUNAMI IMPACT:

Malaysian Gov't Playing Politics With Aid?



This article, 21 keluarga mangsa tsunami terbiar di Pulau Pinang



And this article, Will aid reach the victims on time?



Hopefully things will get sorted out, and fast.

Donation - SJAM Tsunami Humanitarian Relief Fund for Sri Lanka Victims

5:44 AM Internet at Every Where

The St. John Ambulance of Malaysia National Headquarters has started a Tsunami Humanitarian Relief Fund to aid the Sri Lanka victims through the St. John Ambulance Sri Lanka.



We welcome cash donations payable via a crossed cheque "SJAM Tsunami Humanitarian Relief Fund" to:



Hon. Secretary-General

St. John Ambulans Malaysia

41 Jalan Shelley

55100 Kuala Lumpur



(Donor is requested to write your name, address and contact number on the reverse to allow SJAM to post your receipt)



Cheques or cash donation may be sent to our nearest local St. John Ambulance offices nationwide.



The donation period will end January 31, 2005.



For more information, kindly contact Mr. Lai See Ming, Hon. Secretary-General at 012-311 9788.



We thank you for your kind support and contribution.



From the SJAM site.

Stories - Is it true? Monetary aid to tsunami victims vs Iraq war daily costs

11:54 PM Internet at Every Where

A very interesting question asked by someone on Google Answers. It makes you wonder doesn't it. Is it really true that the US is spending more on the Iraq war than the aid package it has pledged to the tsunami victims?



Read all about it here.

News - Criminals target tsunami victims

11:49 PM Internet at Every Where

They have already survived an experience that most people can scarcely imagine. But the victims of the Asian tsunami now face a new danger - criminals and opportunists trying to cash in on their misfortune.



There are already reports of looting in many of the affected countries - with homes, shops and even dead bodies being targeted. And in Sri Lanka, some of the disaster victims have allegedly been raped in refugee camps.



One of the most disturbing allegations is that criminal gangs are befriending children orphaned by the tsunami, and selling them to sex traffickers.



Read the full article here.



Source : BBC

News - Did animals sense the tsunami?

9:35 AM Internet at Every Where

Officials expressed surprise at many tsunami disaster sites across the region when they found no animal carcasses. Scientists believe that the animals may have sensed the waves coming and fled to higher ground. There has also been a lot of anecdotal evidence of dogs barking and birds migrating before volcanic eruptions or earthquakes.



Read the full article here.



Source : Reuters

News - Fishermen Fund To Help Tsunami-Hit Fishermen

2:00 AM Internet at Every Where

Fishermen Fund To Help Tsunami-Hit Fishermen - Muhyiddin



KEPALA BATAS, Jan 4 (Bernama) -- The government will utilise part of the RM50 million Fishermen Fund under the Fisheries Development Authority of Malaysia (LKIM) to help more than 5,000 Tsunami-hit fishermen in four states to start their life afresh.



Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the assistance extended in the form of interest-free soft loans would be expedited to enable the fishermen to repair their damaged boats and buy new fishing equipment so that they could go out to sea for their livelihood.



"The government sympathises with the fate of the fishermen who have lost their source of income. The government will speed up disbursement of the aid to the affected fishermen," he said.



Muhyiddin said he had instructed LKIM to expedite disbursement of the cash aid so that fishing boats and engines could be repaired immediately to enable the fishermen to go about their lives.



"My ministry will ask Treasury to ease the procedures to utilise the allocation so that boats can be repaired quickly, infrastructures can be rebuilt and buy new fishing apparatus," he told a media conference after visiting Kuala Muda fishermen affected in the Dec 26 Tsunami catastrophe here Tuesday.



Source: Bernama

Original article can be read here.

News - Priorities

1:45 AM Internet at Every Where

I believe that Jeff Ooi has made some strong points.



Click here for the full post.

Donations - Maxis SMS

12:16 AM Internet at Every Where

I just received this sms from maxis on my mobile:



"Join us in helping the Tsunami victims. To donate, SMS < Donate > to 22999 from now till 31/1/05. RM1 donation / SMS. Send as many times as you wish. No SMS charges."



It's great to see the mobile companies helping as well and waiving the SMS charges so the complete $1 goes to those that need it most. Let's all work together to help the Tsunami victims. Every SMS and every ringgit counts... together we can help in a BIG way. :)

Donations - MRCS needs more cash and medicine, not clothes

12:13 AM Internet at Every Where

The Malaysian Red Crescent Society (MRCS) wants the public to stop sending clothes and foodstuff for now as what they really need are cash, medicine and basic survival items such as sleeping bags and cooking utensils.



Other non-medicinal items needed are plastic sheets, tents, blankets, jerry-cans for water, wet suits, pain tablets, antibiotics such as Amoxcillin and Panadol, oral rehydration salt, diarrhoea and wind tablets such as Imodium, masks, gloves, gauze and cotton.



Its National Disaster Management Committee chairman Dr S. Selva Jothi said these were needed to help the tsunami victims. The items would be shipped in stages to Banda Aceh, where MRCS is focusing its relief work.



�We really appreciate and are touched by the generosity shown by the public but please stop sending us clothes and food items for now except for baby formula as we have more than enough at the moment.



�The cash would go a long way in helping these victims, especially during the reconstructive phase next month as their homes and facilities need to be rebuilt,� he said here yesterday.



Full article featured here



Source: The STAR

News - �Missing� family safe in Chennai

12:11 AM Internet at Every Where

Four Malaysians who were originally listed as missing after last Sunday's tsunami in Chennai, South India, are safe and sound.



The family � husband and wife R. Shanmugam, 56, and S. Saraswathy, 50, along with their two children � will be flying home tomorrow, said Shanmugam�s younger brother Subramaniam.



�They called and said they were not affected,� he said when contacted yesterday.



According to Subramaniam, they were at a hill resort around 600km away from Chennai when the tsunami struck.



Malaysian consul-general in Chennai Mohd Yusof Ahmad confirmed that the family was safe, and said they were still trying to locate another missing person, identified as Elizabeth John.



He said anyone with information on her whereabouts could contact the Foreign Affairs Ministry at Wisma Putra at tel: 03-8887-4000.



Eight other Malaysians are also on the �missing persons� list � five in Phuket and three in Aceh.



Source: The STAR

News - Search still on for missing five

12:03 AM Internet at Every Where

Penang Island,Malaysia. The marine police are continuing their search for the rest of the tsunami victims reported missing. They five still missing are Ooi Ze Ye, 7, and his cousins Choon Beng, 10, and Choon Wei, six, from Berapit, Lee Kim Lay, 56, from Gertak Sanggul, and Nor Hanizah Mohd Zabdi, 18, from Kampung Genting, Balik Pulau.



A highly decomposed body was found off Pulau Aman yesterday evening and the authorities urge family members who are still looking for their loved ones to identify the body at the Penang General Hospital.



Read the full story here



Source : The STAR

Stories - I survived on attap chee

12:03 AM Internet at Every Where

Her first words were: �Aku dari Aceh (I am from Aceh)�, which stunned her rescuers because they had found her at sea, 100 nautical miles (185km) out from where she last stood five days earlier.



The crew of the Hoom Xiang 8, a Malaysian-registered fishing vessel, immediately radioed the Batu Maung port authorities here of the rescue of Malawati of Kampung Denon in Banda Aceh.



Of the many stories of how victims of the Dec 26 earthquake and tsunami survived, hers is perhaps one of the most awe-inspiring and incredible.



The 23-year-old woman was at home when she was swept to sea. But as luck would have it, she was able to cling to an uprooted nipah palm which had clusters of fruit on it. That palm was instrumental in her survival.



Malawati told crewman Rizal Sarnosantoso, 22, who spotted her waving frantically at the vessel at about 2pm last Friday, that she drank rainwater and ate the fruit of the palm (nypah fruticans) which Malaysians call attap chee. It is often added in local desserts like ais kacang.



By the time the Hoom Xiang 8 chanced upon her, she had floated out into the open water of the Indian Ocean. She was weak and de- hydrated.



News of her miraculous rescue had spread so that when the vessel docked at the Malaysian International Tuna Port in Batu Maung at 2.10pm yesterday, paramedics, pressmen, state officials and representatives from the Indonesian consulate were waiting to meet her.



Full story featured here



Source : The STAR

News - Foreigners dead and missing

11:54 PM Internet at Every Where

The tally of foreigners confirmed dead from the quake and tsunamis throughout southern Asia, according to their countries' foreign ministries.



Source : The STAR

Pics - Tsunami Aftermath

11:43 PM Internet at Every Where

Stories - Dog saves boy from tsunami

9:16 PM Internet at Every Where

In India, a yellow dog named Selvakumar saved the life of a boy. Tsunami waves were rushing into the house and the canine did everything it could to help the boy escape the waves. Nipping, nudging and even to the extend of grabbing the boy's collar and dragging him to safety. Once again, man's best friend has proven themselves to be worthy companions.



Photo courtesy of AP



Read the full article here

News - Before and after satellite images of Aceh

10:19 AM Internet at Every Where

Before the tsunami



Source : DigitalGlobe



After the tsunami



Source : DigitalGlobe

Stories - Interactive multimedia of the earthquake and it's effect

10:00 AM Internet at Every Where

Follow this link to view a interactive multimedia representation of the infamous earthquake and resulting tsunami that has changed the world forever. Take note that the death tolls shown within are outdated.



Source from The New York Times

News - Hoaxes to be wary of

9:51 AM Internet at Every Where

A British man has been found out to be behind 35 emails sent to family and friends of missing which purported to be from the "Foreign Office Bureau" in Thailand. These emails were sent to people who had placed appeals for information on a website set up by Sky News television.



The British government would not use email to convey news of the death of a loved one



More information can be found in this article from NEWS.com.au







The site, www.incybernet.com, features the Red Cross appeal logo, but it is not affliated with the Red Cross in any way. DO NOT donate any cash to them.



E-mails falsely claiming to be from Oxfam and urging people to donate money were also being sent in Hong Kong. These e-mails directed well-intentioned donors to deposit money in a bank account in Cyprus.



Authorities do not know yet just how much these hoaxes have ripped off donors.



Hoax mobile messages are going around in Singapore and India (and now Friendster too), with this message: "Alert everyone: very dangerous virus, Zulican virus is spreading through seafood. So please avoid eating seafood and pass this message to all of your friends."



There is NO SUCH virus and there is nothing wrong with the fish.



More information can be found on NEWS.com.au in this article.







It's just disgusting how some idiots can take advantage of well-meaning people.





News - SJAM-KPS stops accepting donations

9:48 AM Internet at Every Where

The St. John Ambulance Malaysia of Kawasan Pantai Selangor has stopped accepting donations as they have limited transportation and storage.

What Does 150,000 Look Like?

8:25 AM Internet at Every Where

News - Sawadee.com

5:23 AM Internet at Every Where

this is a good informative website on the tsunami in thailand. lots of details can be found there.

sawadee.com

News - Death toll nears 150,000

4:14 AM Internet at Every Where

Searchers today all but gave up hope of finding more survivors from last week's devastating tsunamis, as the death toll across nearly a dozen Asian and African nations neared 150,000.



Indonesia added another 14,000 people to the official count, while Sri Lanka, India and Thailand said they were preparing to give up on more than 15,000 still unaccounted for.



But even as the search for survivors gave way to clearing wreckage, the Indian army today reported that four Indonesians had turned up alive near a remote Indian Ocean island after drifting for more than a week in a small motor boat. A military spokesman said the Indian coastguard was bringing the men to Port Blair, capital of the hard-hit Andaman and Nicobar islands.



The independent Indian television station Aaj Tak reported that the four men could barely speak and would only say "Indonesia" when asked their names.



More from Guardian Unlimited.

News - Give cash instead of clothes and goods

12:05 AM Internet at Every Where

The Malaysian Red Crescent Society(MRCS) has made an appeal to the public to donate cash instead of clothes and goods as their collection centers are now flooded with those items which were no longer needed by the victims.



The cash donated could go a long way in helping the victims rebuild their lives.



The MRCS will now concentrate its efforts on Acheh, which has been hardest hit by the disaster.



Those wishing to help the MRCS by contributing or volunteering can call the MRCS at its hotline at 03-4257 8726 or go to MRCS headquarters in Jalan Nipah, off Jalan Ampang.





Information courtesy of The Sun in this article.

Donation - National Tsunami Disaster Fund

11:58 PM Internet at Every Where

Via Xfresh.com





NATIONAL TSUNAMI DISASTER FUND



1. Donations are by cheque only



2. Cheques should be made out to The New Straits Times Press (M) Berhad.



3. All cheques to sent toNST-BH office at 31, Jalan Riong, 59100, Kuala Lumpur OR TV3 and 8TV offices at Sri Pentas, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya.



4. On the back of the cheque please write : "NST-BH-TV3-8TV Malaysian Tsunami Disaster Fund� / �Tabung Bencana Alam Tsunami NST-BH-TV3-8TV�



5. For more details they can also call 03-77266333



6. The funds collected will be handed over to the �National Disaster Management and Relief Committee� / �Jawatankuasa Pengurusan dan Bantuan Bencana Pusat� headed by YAB Deputy Prime Minister Dato� Sri Najib Tun Razak.