South Africa makes first tsunami donation to Red Cross

The South African Tsunami Relief Fund handed over a first bulk donation of R700 000 to the International Red Cross on Wednesday, health group Netcare said on Thursday.

Netcare 911 chief executive officer Ryan Noach said in a statement a total of R2,5-million had been collected thus far, leaving a total of R1 800 000 still in the fund.

The amount will go towards a global campaign calling for R350-million.

The fund was jointly set up by Netcare 911, Pick 'n Pay and Nedbank late last week. Contributions have been made by the public and companies.

Meanwhile, a six metre container of shoes and clothing seized from smugglers by the South African Revenue Service was donated to tsunami survivors on Wednesday, according to Finance Minister Trevor Manuel.

The items would be distributed by the South African Red Cross Society.

The government has also promised to contribute funds and technical expertise, including sending engineers from its water and forestry department to help reconstruction efforts in stricken Asian nations.

The South African and England cricket teams organised a raffle after their Test match on Thursday with T-shirts signed by the players as prizes.