December 20, 2006
© Asiapromote Ventures Sdn. Bhd.
A cheque for RM150,000 was presented today by YBhg Dato’ Othman Talib, Vice-Chairman, FEI World Cup Jumping Final 2006 to YBhg Tan Sri Razali Ismail, Chairman, The Force of Nature Aid Foundation in conjunction with the second annive
The amount was raised at the FEI World Cup Jumping Final, organised by Asiapromote Ventures Sdn Bhd in April this year, is going towards the Force of Nature-Equestrian World Tsunami Fund.
The Equestrian Tsunami Fund (EWTF), set up in the immediate aftermath of the Asian Tsunami brings together equestrian communities from around the globe to lend assistance and aid to the survivors in
Initiated by Asiapromote Ventures and supported by the Federation Equestre International (FEI), the world equestrian sports governing body, the EWTF came into being with the vast network of contacts with international horse communities built through the KL Grand Prix CSI 5*, the only major equestrian event in the region.
The EWTF has joined hands with The Force of Nature Foundation to develop long-term strategies to ensure rebuilding, rehabilitation and recovery of Aceh and her people.
Wan Zaleha Radzi, Managing Director, Asiapromote Ventures Sdn. Bhd. said, “We have now found our strategic partner in The Force of Nature Aid Foundation. The Foundation has proposed to build a Community Resource Centre and Memorial Park in Banda Aceh to serve the community there.
“The Foundation will add a sports wing to the Centre that the equestrian world can take pride in. Providing recreational facilities to a recovering community is as vital as restoring the infrastructure in that community.”
‘Poverty is the main component in vulnerability to natural disasters. We hope that this will not only be a useful and flexible building that can be used to widen the skills of the people in Aceh, but will also symbolise the new Aceh that we all wish to see – at peace, prosperous and less vulnerable to natural disasters,” said Steve McCoy, Chief Executive Officer, Force of Nature Aid Foundation.
Wan Zaleha also remarked that President Clinton, the UN Special Envoy for Tsunami Recovery has put it quite succinctly when he said, “What we have to do now is not to forget these people and places when all the cameras are not there. That’s the number one problem that we’ll just forget and not see this through.”
She went on to add, “The calamity is so severe that it has been estimated that the rebuilding and recovery of affected areas will take more than a decade. It becomes essential to help the survivors get back on their feet and be able to carry on with their lives, particularly the 50,000 orphans whose futures are very bleak indeed.”
“It’s great to see the compassion of a worldwide community who share the same passion and interest, getting together to help another community after the tragedy of December 26, 2004,” said YBhg Tan Sri Razali Ismail, Chairman, Force of Nature Aid Foundation.
At the ceremony, the Equestrian World Tsunami Fund was renamed and the new logo was unveiled. Wan Zaleha Radzi said that the new name HORSE AID will better reflect the objective of the fund. “We believe that the equestrian communities the world over can do more to help those in need and to make a successful long term-commitment through the Fund.”
At the conclusion of the event, Wan Zaleha Radzi appealed to the local equestrian community to support “our fund-raising activities and also by developing initiative to help raise money for the Fund.”
The cheque presentation ceremony was sponsored by Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Ta Kwang Tents Sdn Bhd, George Gill, Khairil Yusof and Asiapromote Ventures.