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04/02/2010

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Donates for Relief Work in Haiti

Dharamshala: The Tibet Post International-His Holiness the Dalai Lama has made a donation of Swiss Francs 100,000 to facilitate relief efforts in Haiti through the International Red Cross Committee in Geneva.

Welcoming His Holiness the Dalai Lama's help and commitment to the humanitarian efforts in Haiti, Bekele Geleta, the Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, has “expressed heartfelt gratitude for the generous contribution in support of their operation in Haiti”.

A U.S. soldier helps a woman carry a bag of rice during a distribution of food in downtown Port-au-Prince on 3 February 2010.

“Your commitment to help our operation in Haiti is much appreciated and your gesture of solidarity has been communicated to the Haitian Red Cross and to our teams based in the field, where activities are being coordinated and implemented to reach the victims of this terrible disaster,” Geleta said in a faxed letter to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Geleta said: “The world has responded to this emergency with an outpouring of concern and the chain of solidarity in the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has involved many sister National Societies who are actively supporting the Haitian Red Cross in its efforts to deliver live-saving assistance to the Haitian people.”

“Please accept again our sincere thanks for your personal support to our humanitarian efforts.”

His Holiness had extended his deep sympathy and heartfelt condolences to all those families affected by the devastating earthquake that struck the Carribean nation of Haiti.

The international community has poured in massive aid initiatives since the magnitude 7.0 earthquake killed up to 200,000 Haitians and made up to 1 million homeless on 12 January, according to UN officials.

No New Year Celebrations for Tibetan Officials: Tibetan Govt. In-Exile

4february20101Dharamshala: The Tibet Post Internationa-Kashag Secretariat (Cabinet Secretariat of Tibetan Government in exile) yesterday urged Tibetan officials in the Government in Exile not to take part in the coming Losar (New Year)celebrations.

A statement issued by the Central Tibetan Administration, the Tibetan government in exile, regarding the Tibetan new year reads as follows: "To all the secretaries of concerned departments,

Taking into consideration the 2008, Tibetan Earth Mouse year protest in Tibet, hundreds of Tibetans were killed and thousands were arrested. Throughout last year, the Year of the Earth Mouse, the suppression and censorship continued. In many parts of Tibet, communities have decided not to celebrate the coming New Year in solidarity with the Tibetan cause.

Central Tibetan Administration urges Tibetan Officials not to take part in celebrations such as parties, dancing and singing, and fireworks, except for religious rituals such as burning incense and making traditional offerings.

The Secretariat clarified that this announcement is aimed at Tibetan Officials, and does not apply to the Tibetan people."