Having met individuals this week in the UAE who are collecting funds and items to assist the people of Oman in the aftermath of Cyclone Gonu, it is astonishing and puzzling to read statements like this on the Gonu Relief Blogspot:"If you are located within the Sultanate of Oman and are very much interested in donating to the Gonu relief efforts then please send a donation towards these local banks and their respective account numbers: Oman Arab Bank: 3101053013500, BankMuscat: 395011500081014 or: 32-60012-0081-038, Bank Dhofar: 0141160909000, National Bank of Oman: 1049337798006, Oman International Bank: 15-0090004-01. We appreciate all your donations and regret to say that due to circumstances beyond our control, international donations cannot be entertained."
What are the “circumstances beyond our control” that are preventing international financial donations being received?
Why is it that relief agencies in neighboring countries like the UAE have trucks of supplies at the ready but are not welcome in Oman?
Geoff Pound
Image: Part of the devastation in Oman caused by Cyclone Gonu.
