UM CALLS FOR DONATION FOR AFGHAN WINTER RELIEF

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- The Centre for Poverty and Development
Studies (CPDS), Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya
(UM) is calling for donation to help the Afghan people who are facing severe
cold weather.

The CPDS said in a statement Friday that it had taken the initiative to act
as a collection point for all donations through the campaign, "Providing Warmth
in the Bitter Cold of Winter: Donate to Afghanistan."

It said that Afghanistan's National Disasters Management Authority had
indicated that more than 650 people, mostly children and the elderly, have died
due to the cold weather and heavy snow since December 2007.

"Some parts of the country are currently facing their harshest winter in 30
years, with temperature falling below 25 degrees and without help, more are
expected to lose their lives due to extreme cold conditions," CPDS said.

The CPDS said donations could be in-kind such as clothing, blankets, food
and medicines or in cash.

-- BERNAMA