We've been away from news and Internet connections for the last few days in Mexico, or we would have posted sooner. The scale of death and devastation by the tsunami in Asia is beyond imagining.

Our thoughts are with the survivors and how they will rebuild their lives. We have provided links to sites for those wishing to donate to the relief efforts.

If you would like to make a contribution, these charitable organisations are equipped to offer both immediate and long term assistance:

CONTRIBUTING TO THE RELIEF EFFORT

Australia:
Oxfam,
Care,
Red Cross,
Save the Children

UK:
Care,
Red Cross,
Save the Children

USA:
Care,
Red Cross,
Save the Children

Global:
UNICEF,
Doctors Without Borders

We are mindful that many travellers may have been in affected areas and their loved ones and friends will be frantic with worry about their safety. Following is a list of contact details for embassies in the area.

Please use the HUBB to report any news which you may have on travellers whereabouts and safety..

EMBASSY CONTACTS

Australia's embassies and high commissions in Thailand, India, Malaysia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka (also responsible for the Maldives) are liaising with the local authorities, hospitals and hotels to account for, and provide assistance to, affected Australians.

A DIMIA officer is located at Phuket Airport to provide travel documentation to departing Australians who have lost their passports

In Phuket, our consular officers have set up an office at the Hilton Hotel (contact +66 76 370 672 (e-mail: aus_phuket (((AT))) inet.co.th), 333 Thanon Patak, Karon Beach, Phuket). Australians seeking consular assistance should contact this office. There is an Australian official at the City Hall in Phuket Town, where Thai officials are processing people being evacuated from nearby islands
In Sri Lanka, 4 wheel drive vehicles are being used to transport Australians to Colombo and the Sri Lankan airforce will also help to transport stranded Australians who are south of Colombo
In the Maldives, the UK government has agreed to help assist Australians, and our officers are joining UK officials at the Iskander School on Chandaru Madu Road in Male'
Additional consular officers are being sent to our embassies in affected countries to support our response.

Australian High Commissions & Embassies

DELHI
Australian Compound
No. 1/50 G Shantipath, Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110-021
Telephone: 91 11 5139 9900
Fax: 91 11 5149 4490

MUMBAI
36 Maker Chambers VI
220 Nariman Point

Mumbai - 400 021
Telephone: 91 022 56692000
Fax: 91 022 56692005

INDONESIA - Jakarta
Jalan H.R. Rasuna Said Kav C 15-16
Jakarta Selatan 12940
Telephone: 62 21 2550 5555
Fax: 62 21 522 7101, 2550 5467

E-mail address: public-affairs-jakt (((AT))) dfat.gov.au

INDONESIA - Bali
PO Box 3243
Denpasar, Bali
Telephone: (+62 361) 283011 or 283241
Fax: (+62 361) 282281

MYANMAR
88 Strand Road, Yangon
Tel.: 95 (1) 251797/8, 251810

Fax: 95 (1) 246159, 246160

SRI LANKA
3 Cambridge Place
Colombo
Telephone + 94 - 11 - 2698 767
Fax + 94 - 11 - 2686 453

THAILAND
37 South Sathorn Road
Bangkok 10120

Telephone (+66 2) 287 2680
Fax (+66 2) 287 2029
E-mail address: austembassy.bangkok (((AT))) dfat.gov.au


[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 31 December 2004).]

__________________
Susan Johnson

Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com