Israel's Foreign Ministry on Monday, Jan. 17, published details of the humanitarian support it has provided to Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand in the wake of the Dec. 26, 2004,  tsunami.

Indonesia—an El Al plane brought 16 tons of baby food, 30 tons of rice, flour, water, sugar and grains, 5 tons of plastic sheeting, 20 tons of medicine, a water purification system, and 12 communication networks.

The cargo valued at $450,000 was landed at Aceh. A variety of Israeli companies and individuals donated the cargo including Remedia and Materna companies, Koach Latet, Sugat, Osem, Hovav Plastica, Haogenplast, Netafim Shira Hadasha Congregation of Jerusalem, Gilat Satellite Networks, and Shari Arison Glazer. The Sacta-Rashin Foundation contributed $300,000. The cost of the El Al flight was covered by the Yemin Orde Wingate Youth Village.

Sri Lanka—Israel provided 82 tons of food, medical equipment and other forms of humanitarian assistance; emergency food kitchens, donated by the United Kibbutz movement, which can provide 4,000 hot meals a day; food supplies; a mobile clinic from Magen David Adom, and a team to establish a first aid treatment center in Matara. Additionally, it sent to the capital in Colombo, at the request of the Sri Lankan government, doctors and social workers,  "to provide guidance to professionals working with the population in the disaster areas"

Thailand—The Zaka Rescue and Identification Team contributed 3,3400 body bags, 500 gas masks and special protective suits for working in disaster areas, a team of doctors and nurses, forensic experts to help identify bodies, three tons of baby food, two tons of blankets, five tons of medicine donated by Teva Pharmaceuticals, and $600,000 of medicine obtained in Canada by Israeli citizen Walter Arbib.

In addition, Israel transferred $100,000 to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which is overseeing international assistance efforts. An umbrella organization called the Israel Campaign for South East Asia Disaster Relief has brought together 45 organizations, which to date has collected between 150 and 200 tons of food and humanitarian supplies.
  —Donald H. Harrison