Donation drives ongoing
September 21 Earthquake Update6 October, 2009 –
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| COLLECTION IN KIND – Graduates with their contributions gathered for the earthquake victims |
The office of the Gyalpoi Zimpon has received about Nu 3 million in cash from Bhutanese people and agencies, as well as a few foreigners, for the September 21 earthquake-affected victims, which according to the royal office for media, will go to His Majesty’s people’s welfare fund (kidu fund).
“The response has been very good,” said a royal media spokesperson.
Further collection of donations inside Bhutan is ongoing. The Bhutan chamber of commerce and industry (BCCI) met representatives of associations like handicrafts and hotels recently to mobilise contributions. “We have thromdue thuemes in 18 dzongkhags to collect donations,” said BCCI general secretary, Phub Dorj.
Ministries and agencies are working on salary deductions. “Besides individuals donations, we’re deciding on the percentage that will be deducted from an employee’s salary for the contribution,” said the media spokesperson of the foreign ministry, Kinzang Dorji.
The administrative officer of works and human settlement, Ugyen Thinley, said that the ministry has contributed about Nu 23,000.
An association formed by the graduates, youth voluntary, have also presented about Nu 500,000 and other essentials like clothes, blankets, mattresses to the Gyalpoi Zimpon office, collected from ministries, agencies, shopkeepers and residents of Thimphu, Paro and Phuentsholing.
Thimphu residents have also organised dance parties to raise funds. Several dzonkhags are also planning cultural shows to collect cash and kind.
Source: Kuenselonline