Malta Red Cross Society launches appeal for victims of the Bay of Bengal earthquake and tsunamis 28th December 2004 The Malta Red Cross Society today launched an appeal for help and is asking for donations from the Maltese public to assist the victims of this disaster. Donations can be made in the following bank accounts: HSBC 03314 337 1051 BOV 40010344392 Also you can send an SMS message on for: Lm1 50617354 Lm3 50618916 Lm5 50619213 For further information please phone the Malta Red Cross Society on 21222645 or email redcross@redcross.org.mt The Malta Red Cross Society is supporting the appeal by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies which has launched a preliminary appeal for 7.5 million Swiss francs to assist some one million people and bring immediate support to relief operations of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and other countries in the region after the strongest earthquake in 40 years caused massive tidal waves, killing at least 24,000 people, according to local authorities, and leaving more than one million displaced and homeless. One million Swiss francs were released yesterday from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund. Locally, Red Cross teams in Sri Lanka and India have helped evacuate survivors, dispensed first aid and provided emergency relief materials, such as tents and blankets, as well as food. The International Federation has already sent medical supplies for 100,000 people into Sri Lanka, the country hardest hit by the disaster, from Copenhagen, Denmark. Additionally medicines to treat up to 2,000 possible cases of diarrhoeal disease are also part of the shipment.