Ireland: Irish charities have collected almost €20 million for the Asian tsunami appeal, following what fundraisers have described as an overwhelming response from the public
The sum is nearly twice the €10 million pledged by the Government last week, although officials say this sum will be revised in the coming days.
Most donations have come from personal contributions, while a number of large donations from corporations and wealthy benefactors have seen the overall total rise dramatically in recent days.
Limerick businessman Mr J.P. McManus has reportedly donated €1.5 million to Trócaire, Goal and Concern, while fruit distributor Fyffes has contributed €500,000 to the appeal.
The majority of donation have been made by credit card, either on the phone or via the internet. The country's major banks have agreed to waive credit card charges on donation to charities.
The Irish Red Cross expects donations from Irish people and companies to reach up to €10 million over the coming days. Trócaire, Concern and Goal estimate to have received up to €8 million.
The secretary-general of the Irish Red Cross, Ms Carmel Dunne, said money would be used initially for immediate relief; however, the demand for reconstruction and rehabilitation would be immense.
"Our role is to swing in with our local Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers, to support the experienced and committed local community who know the areas and have the skills to deliver the service efficiently," said Ms Dunne. She will be one of a number of representatives from Irish charities who will accompany the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, on a visit to Asia today.
She said more than 30 flights loaded with Red Cross and Red Crescent relief goods have arrived in the affected countries.
Workers have providing survivors with food, clothes and other emergency articles, while work is also under way on establishing water purification, healthcare and telecommunications facilities.
GOAL, meanwhile, said an experienced team of aid workers had now arrived in Indonesia to assess the needs of the affected population. The charity has around 60 workers in countries affected by the St Stephen's Day tsunami.
Fundraising efforts will continue over the weekend, with Trócaire preparing to hold church gate collections at weekend Masses outside Catholic churches.
The GAA will also ask patrons attending matches to make donations to GOAL rather than paying at the gate at all matches held in Munster, Leinster and Connaught.
Key football matches due to take place this weekend include Meath-Kildare and Longford-Westmeath.
A number of fundraising concerts are also due to place (see panel), including a major show at the RDS tonight which is due to feature Shane McGowan, David Kitt, Ronnie Drew and others.
Concern, which has received €3.2 million, said it was overwhelmed by the response from the public and by the number of fundraising events organised in recent days.
"It's an incredible response," a spokeswoman for Concern said.
