OMAN DELIVERS TSUNAMI AID TO SRI LANKA

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000025 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR EAID PGOV PREL CE MU SUBJECT: OMAN DELIVERS TSUNAMI AID TO SRI LANKA REF: A. A. SECSTATE 959 ¶B. B. MUSCAT 00017 ¶1. As reported in reftel B, the government of Oman has offered to facilitate the delivery of private contributions to tsunami victims in Sri Lanka and Indonesia. On January 4, the first Omani flights carrying relief supplies left the Sultanate for Colombo. The flights, with more to follow in the coming days, will deliver over 41 tons of foodstuffs, tents, blankets and utensils. ¶2. The Oman Charitable Organization (OCO),a government-supervised charitable umbrella entity, has begun receiving financial donations after having established a dedicated relief committee. The committee has published announcements in the local media and continues to appeal to companies, establishments and individuals to forward their assistance to OCO banking accounts. No details have been released on how much money may have been raised. BALTIMORE