SKM Provides Tsunami Relief

NEWS RELEASE

31 May, 2005

SKM Provides Tsunami Relief

The Management and Staff of leading project delivery firm, Sinclair Knight Merz have presented RedR Australia with a cheque for A$45,000 to assist it with rebuilding efforts in parts of Asia devastated by the Boxing Day Tsunami.

RedR - the Registered Engineers for Disaster Relief - was established in 1992 in Australia to provide access to engineers with the ability to respond quickly to disasters and alleviate poverty.

The money was raised by SKM staff, and matched dollar for dollar by the firm.

In presenting the cheque to RedR Australia Chairman, Mike Dureau, Sinclair Knight Merz Chief Executive, Paul Dougas said the effort to rebuild some of the tsunami-ravaged regions is only just beginning.

"We feel it is important that several months on from the natural disaster the world does not forget the enormous damage and loss of life that occurred," Mr Dougas said.

"The effort that will be required to rebuild these communities will take many years, and it has only just begun," he said.

"Like many organisations, Sinclair Knight Merz staff have embraced the cause and shown their support through their wallets.

"Importantly, this financial effort is also being matched by a commitment to provide professionals with the skills required to help rebuild the communities," Mr Dougas added.

Shortly after the tsunami hit, Sinclair Knight Merz had staff on the ground in Indonesia, and followed up with work for AusAID on projects in the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

In thanking Sinclair Knight Merz, Mr Dureau said that there will be a long-term need for rehabilitation and reconstruction in the affected areas.

"This donation from the staff of Sinclair Knight Merz is a wonderful gesture, which will enable RedR to provide aid to those most in need in the tsunami-ravaged regions," Mr Dureau said.

"There is still a great deal of work to carry out, with an increasing need for water, sanitation and construction engineers, along with logisticians and experienced humanitarian managers and co-ordinators," he said.

"SKM has, and continues to be one of our most stalwart supporters," Mr Dureau added.

RedR Australia has built its current strength principally on its work for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees funded by Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID).

RedR Australia also has new working partnerships with World Food Programme (WFP), United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), (UNICEF) funded by AusAID under a continuing program of assistance to the world's refugee population

ENDS

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