The SA department of foreign affairs announces that the bodies of two South Africans have been found in Thailand

It is estimated that 11 South Africans lost their lives during the devastating Tsunami that lashed large parts of Indian Ocean countries in 2004. By late January 2005, 4 South Africans remained unaccounted for in Thailand. Most of the deceased were on holiday in Thailand when disaster broke out. South African authorities and the Department of Foreign Affairs in particular were deeply involved in desperate attempts to locate survivors as well as the remains of victims. A call centre was established to help family members and friends of South Africa tourists in the tsunami-stricken area to locate their loved ones. South Africans responded admirably to the crisis generated by the Tsunami. Collective efforts by Pick ‘n Pay, the South African Red Cross and Netcare managed to provide provided more than 500 cases of bottled water, 140 containers of tinned food and an additional 80 containers of other dry foodstuffs to affected areas. Between them, First National Bankand the South African public raised over R2 million, and the Independent Newspapers Tsunami Relief Fund raised nearly R1 million. As some of the African states along the coast of the Indian Ocean were affected by the tsunami, the funds raised by the SA Red Cross Society were pledged to the African disaster relief cause. In addition to these contributions in cash and kind, South Africans were also involved in relief and rescue missions. A rescue mission put together by the South African Jewish Board of Deputies, Netcare and Discovery Health was sent to Thailand to bring back affected and injured South Africans. The South African government also made a significant contribution in kind. It was however criticized for not making a cash donation. Others suggested that some of the cash donations could have been directed tp program,mmes involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS.