More than one week after the natural catastrophe, Southern Asia is devastated. The number of dead is increasing everyday and the provisional death toll has reached nearly 150,000 so far. Mauritius was very lucky to escape this disaster and the population seems to be very much aware of the fact.

Much solidarity has been shown towards the victims in Mauritius. The latest Cabinet meeting ?has agreed to make a donation of US$ 50,000 to the Republic of India, the Republic of Seychelles, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the Republic of Maldives and also to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the UNICEF, respectively. Cabinet has also agreed to support the national initiative launched by the MACOSS to collect funds to come in aid to the victims of this catastrophe.? The Mauritius Council Of Social Services has opened a special account at the State Commercial Bank (n° 620 101 000 789 36) and cheques should be made out to Macoss Tsunami Solidarity Fund.

At the NGOs? and citizens? level, the solidarity is just as great. The Lions? Club International has started to collect clothes and food for victims. Eric Némorin has called upon the population to donate food more particularly. After Tamarin and Pointe d?Esny, a container should be placed in Port-Louis by the end of the week to allow more provisions to be collected. The first container will be sent to Sri Lanka tomorrow with the collaboration of Safmarine. The Lions Club International has opened an account at the Mauritius Commercial Bank (n° 010325549). Barclays Bank has also opened an account for victims (n° 144 052 153).

The former president of the Republic, Cassam Uteem, was in the Maldives leading the delegation of observers for general elections there. He says he was very lucky not to have been affected by the tidal wave and calls upon Mauritians to show generosity. He has asked all citizens to donate one day of their salary to the victims.