Transportation aids tsunami victims (January 04, 2005)

Avatar photo

TORONTO, Ont. — Industry players have been swift to respond to the recent disaster in South Asia, reports the Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association.

Foremost among those participating in relief efforts is international shipper DHL. DHL is working with various governments, authorities and civil partners in Asia to provide deliveries of relief supplies and humanitarian assistance to the countries left devastated by the recent massive tsunami waves. The company has also offered its services to the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent to provide assistance in any relief activities that the two organizations have undertaken to help with affected countries.

In Thailand DHL used three Boeing 737-200 flights to deliver approximately 50 tons of relief supplies from Bangkok to Phuket. They included food, water, clothes and medicines.

In India, it is working closely with the government and police in Tamil Nadu with relief work. Apart from releasing four of its vehicles to transport relief materials, the company has also purchased and donated 1,000 blankets and 1,000 stoves for the victims.

In Sri Lanka, DHL reported that it is actively working with the government, and as well with Sarvodaya, a local non-profit organization on the transportation of relief supplies such as purified water and dry rations to affected areas.

The company recently sent 200 tents to Colombo via Singapore Airlines, and its office in UAE has organized a collection of dry rations and bedding, and is working with the UAE Red Crescent to send 20 tons of relief items to Colombo.

In the Maldives, it has responded to the government’s request to provide assistance in the delivery and distribution of emergency relief supplies.

In Indonesia, it is providing 1,000 blankets and 1,000 tee shirts through the Red Crescent to victims of the disaster.
DHL’s Global Human Resources has also set up a Tide Relief Initiative Programme (TRIP) to co-ordinate employee contributions and donations. All contributions will be pooled and donated to an appropriate relief agency, according to company officials.

Meanwhile, Fed Ex, UPS, Air Canada, British Airways and many others are generously contributing in their own ways to help mitigate the disastrous results of this tragedy.

For those still thinking about how best to contribute in Canada, the following organizations are recommended for cash donations:

Doctors without Borders: 1-800-982-7903 – www.msf.ca
CARE Canada: 1-800-267-5232 – www.care.ca
Canadian Red Cross: 1-800-418-1111
Save the Children: 1-800-668-5036 www.savethechildren.ca
UNICEF Canada: 1-877-955-3111 – www.unicef.ca

The Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association, for its part, has set aside $5,000 for contributions to one or two of the above-mentioned organizations, pending board approval.

Avatar photo

Truck News is Canada's leading trucking newspaper - news and information for trucking companies, owner/operators, truck drivers and logistics professionals working in the Canadian trucking industry.


Have your say


This is a moderated forum. Comments will no longer be published unless they are accompanied by a first and last name and a verifiable email address. (Today's Trucking will not publish or share the email address.) Profane language and content deemed to be libelous, racist, or threatening in nature will not be published under any circumstances.

*