Malaysian Embassy In Washington Activates Disaster Relief Committee

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia's embassy in Washington DC has activated a Disaster Relief Committee to monitor developments in the wake of the Hurricane Sandy disaster along the east coast of the United States and its effects on Malaysians living there.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman said some 1,500 Malaysians were living in the affected areas, mainly New York, Maryland and Virginia.

"There also about 1,200 Malaysian students in the affected areas. The Students Affairs Department at the embassy is in contact with the International Students Department of the universities concerned so that all necessary steps can be taken to ensure their safety.

"The Malaysian Embassy in Washington and Malaysia's Consul-General in New York have not received any reports of Malaysians in danger," he said in a statement here Tuesday night.

He said only one Malaysian family was stranded at New York's La Guardia Airport and that they were now placed at a hotel in Queens (New York). "All other Malaysians including students are safe," he said.

Anifah said due to a declaration of an emergency situation in Washington DC, the Malaysian embassy there was closed on Monday.

"All Malaysians had been advised to look after their personal safety and always be alert towards hurricane warnings issued by the local authorities.

"Wisma Putra (Foriegn Ministry) will continue to monitor the situation and priovide updates on the latest developments," he said.

Preliminary reports showed affected states like Virginia, Washington DC, Maryland, New Jersey, Connecticut and New York had declared emergencies and had started the process of relocation, including 375,000 people in Manhattan, and other parts of New York City; 50,000 in Delaware and 30,000 in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

More than 5,000 flights at all major airports (Dulles International and Ronald Reagan National) in Washington DC had been shifted to other airports.

According to media reports, at least 65 people have been killed in the Caribbeans Islands due to the hurricane.