On March 18, Minsk /Alina Grishkevich - BELTA/. Belarusians sincerely sympathize with the tragedy that occurred in Japan and have begun collecting funds to assist the friendly nation. As of March 18, Br2 million 406 thousand have been collected. As reported to BELTA correspondent by the Belarusian Red Cross Society, individual entrepreneurs and private individuals were the first to respond to the call to help their Japanese friends. Monetary donations will be transferred to the Embassy of Japan for the purchase of necessary items for the population. Assistance in the form of property is not accepted due to delivery difficulties. To ensure transparency of the fundraising campaign for the affected population of Japan, information on the amount of funds collected will be updated every morning on the BRCS website in the "Announcements" section. As funds accumulate, all donations will be transferred to the Embassy of Japan. Upon completion of the campaign, the BRCS will prepare a report, which will also be posted on the organization's website. Funds in Belarusian rubles can be transferred to the BRCS settlement account 3015740099012, branch 539 at OJSC "Belinvestbank", Minsk, code 739, UNP 100265026, BIC (MFO) 153001739 with the note "Aid to Japan". Individuals can make donations at any branch of "Belarusbank" or any post office. Legal entities can transfer donations to the affected population of Japan under a sponsorship agreement. Special collection boxes have been installed in the secretariat of the BRCS (Minsk, K. Marx St., 35), and in the premises of the regional and district organizations of the BRCS. All funds from these boxes will be transferred to the aforementioned account. The Belarusian Red Cross is not only collecting donations from the population, organizations, and enterprises of Belarus but also plans to allocate funds from its own reserve fund (the amount will be specified at the upcoming BRCS presidium meeting). The Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of Japan in Belarus, Matsuzaki Kiyoshi, expresses gratitude to the Belarusian people for their support. "We highly appreciate the attention and sympathy of the Belarusian people towards our plight," reads Matsuzaki Kiyoshi's letter to the Belarusian Red Cross Society. -0-

BELTA