After the Tsunami: Industry United and Focused on Rapid Recovery > Expressions of Support and Solidarity from IH&RA Partners > UFTAA Launches Relief Effort for Sri Lanka UFTAA Mobilizes to Rebuild Tourism in Sri Lanka The United Federation of Travel Agents' Associations (UFTAA) launches an appeal for Tsunami victims in Sri Lanka, the country of origin of UFTAA current chairman Chairman, Udaya Nanayakkara. Dear all, First of all let me tell you that our Chairman, Udaya NANAYAKKARA is ok. Some members of his family have been trapped during the tsunami disaster but - happily - they are alive ... and shocked of course. So many others did not have this chance ! Click here to find an "Appeal for Sri Lanka" that UFTAA is sending out to all the travel and tourism community. We do hope that all the actors of our industry will respond and show that we can be UNITED. All the concerned countries are destinations that you have been selling, we have all appreciated (and not too long ago) the hospitality, the kindness of the populations ... let's give back to all this people a little bit of what they have given us so generously ! Please dispatch the document as widely as possible in the travel and tourism community, media trade.. On Monday next, 10 January, we will receive the bank data of the special account opened for this project. I shall immediately forward it to you all. As explained in the text, we have chosen to start the project with Sri Lanka because of the special bonds we have with this island. But, of course, we will extend the project to other affected areas (Indonesia, Maldives ..) and hope to have the same kind of involvement from the local governments. Kind regards, Nicoll CHOME Deputy Secretary General Click here to participate: Click here to find an "Appeal for Sri Lanka" *** Quote of the day "It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." --- Ralph Waldo Emerson Copyright 2003 International Hotel & Restaurant Association. All rights reserved. International Hotel & Restaurant Association 51 rue Jean Jacques Rousseau 75001 Paris France Tel: 33 (0) 1 44 88 92 20 Fax: 33 (0) 1 44 88 92 30 www.ih-ra.com