Published by: World Tibet Network News, Wednesday, March 6th 1996

For Immediate Release Contacts: Debra Ladner

212-213-5010

Tenzing Chhodak

212-213-5011

Dalai Lama Appeals for Aid to Tibetan Snow Storm Victims

New York, March 6, 1996

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has strongly appealed to the international community to assist the thousands of Tibetans who have been affected by the massive snow storm in February. In the Jyekundo area alone (Yushu County), over 60,000 Tibetan herders are reportedly facing starvation on account of being trapped by the snow storm. Over 25,000 Tibetan nomads have been stranded in another remote region. More than 700,000 livestock have perished.

In a message released by Rinchen Dharlo, his Representative in New York, the Dalai Lama expressed his deep concern for the "large- scale devastation and suffering" in several Tibetan areas. While making a personal contribution of US $15,000.00 to an international relief organization assisting the victims, the Dalai Lama expressed his gratitude for the relief work being undertaken. "I appreciate greatly the relief efforts undertaken by international organizations. I am also happy to learn about the efforts made by the Chinese authorities to help the affected areas and about their appeal for international assistance."

In his message, His Holiness also made an urgent appeal for more international aid, "Thousands of people are facing starvation, unless international aid reaches these remote Tibetan areas without delay," the Dalai Lama said. The Dalai Lama's Special Envoy in Washington, D.C., Lodi Gyari, had made an urgent request to U.S. President Bill Clinton for American assistance to the Tibetan victims of the snow storm. The Tibet Fund, a New York-based organization, has contributed $5,000.00 for relief work.

At the request of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, Tibetans throughout the world are collecting funds to alleviate the situation in Tibetan areas affected by the snow storm.