The group's hotels worldwide have already started to gather supplies which will include clothing, sheets, blankets, towels, mattresses and food supplies. While, many properties are planning activities during February with proceeds allocated to the Earthquake Relief Fund, Le Meridien Dubai is set to host a play by Indian director, Feroz Khan, while a Gala Dinner is being planned in each of the chain's five Indian properties to raise cash for the fund.

Ashok Ummat, Le Meridien's senior vice-president of Finance, Middle East and West Asia, said: ``This fund has the full support of our management and I am confident that we will reach a significant cash amount by month end.Money and vital supplies raised by the Meridien Earthquake Relief Fund will be handed to the Indian authorities responsible for the rehabilitation of the earthquake victims on February 28, 2001.

German parliamentarians partner SOS Children's Villages of India
The German-Indian Parliamentary Friendship Group of the German Bundestag has offered to help SOS Children's Villages of India to look after the quake-fflicted children in Gujarat.

The delegation's choice of joining with SOS Children's Villages of India was moved by the fact that during such catastrophes the children are the worst affected and require immediate attention and care. Recognising the past efforts made towards childcare by SOS Children's Villages of India, the delegation felt that SOS would be an appropriate channel to reach out to the children.

SOS has set up 25 child relief centres spread over the subdistrict of Gandhidham, Bachau, Rapar, Bhuj and Anjar to look after the quake afflicted children. According to latest reports, SOS centres have received 1,500 children since the day of the quake. This number is expected to go up to at least 2,000.

Sunova reaches out to the Gujarat earthquake victims
Sanat Products Limited has come forward to help the Gujarat earthquake victims. The company has donated Spirulina and Heal Plus to the sufferers of one of the worst hit natural calamity.

Sunova's Spirulina is a natural food supplement, immensely rich in essential nutrients, which are vital to combat the body's nutritional deficiencies Spirulina would be very useful to these victims suffering from malnutrition and in danger of contacting various diseases, as it would help strengthen their immune system and cope with the hazards much better. Sunova's Heal Plus is a natural wound healer-cum-antiseptic and it helps the wound to heal much faster, preventing the wounds from getting septic.

Mr Manoj Pahwa, CEO, Sanat Product Limited, said, ``Keeping in line with our corporate policy and long standing commitment towards humanity and social responsibility, we try to make an extra effort to reach out to our brothers as deeply as possible.'' The company stood by the cyclone hit victims of Orissa and Kargil soldiers, too.