Many have brought donations in kind, which the society is only taking reluctantly, because it will have to pass it on to another organization later.

"We've told people only cheque or cash, no in kind donations. But they're still coming. People just want to help, but we just don't have the space to keep them," says Carol Teo, Red Cross communication manager Carol, as she stands outside helping to unload a taxi of three large black bin bags. Just at that time, another car stopped by to drop off four large bags full of children's clothes.

Upstairs, Jeffrey Chan, the vice-chairman of the society, is just hanging up the phone with his counterpart in Indonesia. "They've clearly told us, don't send anything. They don't have the facilities to take in anymore supplies. Their warehouses are full and with transportation blocked goods are just not moving out," he told UPI, "There is a log-jam now."

Singaporeans are used to being asked to donate for worthy causes and school children are regularly seen around town collecting money as part of their "school" duties. Yet, the outpouring of money in the last couple of days has been staggering. Chan says the organization has already raised $2.4 million.

"One individual, who has asked for anonymity, gave several thousands dollars," Chan said.

Brad and Shelley Markel feel especially lucky and close to what has happened in Thailand. "My husband and son were diving off Phi Phi Island just one month ago, and we were all going back on Sunday," Markel says. "We were quite concerned for our diving instructor, but we've managed to reach him by email and he's survived. But he has written us some pretty horrific details of what he went through, trying to resuscitate people, but it's really tragic he wasn't successful," she adds. The family holiday has now been cancelled and part of the money donated to the Red Cross.

Sato Kazuhiro, a Japanese businessman, says he chose the Red Cross, because he feels confident the money will go where it's needed: "I know the Red Cross and I trust them. There are a lot of people collecting money, but I'm not sure if I can trust them (all)."

He was the victim of heavy flooding in 1997 when he lived in Southwest Japan -- he once had water up to his knees in his living room -- and he feels a specific empathy for the victims of the tsunami. "Of course, it was nothing like what they've gone through, but I still remember running upstairs, trying to escape the water," he adds.

Following hot on the footsteps of Kazuhiro, Esther Brown, a British national living in Singapore, drops in with her Sri Lankan maid. "I came to make a cash donation and we've also bought towels and bedding, but we didn't realize they weren't collecting here. Still they've been kind and told us they will pass it on," she says, quickly walking back out.

While Singaporeans are generously opening their wallets, many are also willing to volunteer their time. One of them, Sebastian Chung, a private tuition instructor, doesn't really know where to start and just walks in to give his details to the Red Cross to contact him if needs be. "Because of my job, it's pretty easy for me to stop working for a while and go there," says the former missionary.

Yet, the Red Cross is unwilling to send any volunteers at this stage. "Sending volunteers at this stage is more of a hindrance than a help. Very often they can't get to the place. Unless you're a local army, an organized team that can bring its own logistics and doesn't have to rely on resources on the ground, our advice is 'don't go," Chen says.

"We had an old lady who rang up and wanted to go. She said she was good at looking after children, and I'm sure there is a big need for this sort of skill, but we can't even get out there," Chen adds. "We even had an offer from an undertaker. Of course this would be very useful, but again, we can't send him there."

"Also, there is a limit to how many volunteers we can use. So we have had to say no thank you to some people," he adds.

Acting Minister for Community, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan reinforced the message at a press conference Thursday evening by saying "teams that go to affected areas should be fully prepared. If you're not, you're likely to be in the way."

Yet, some Singaporeans are organizing themselves to go on the ground. Missionary Chiang See Poh is readying himself to go to Sri Lanka with seven other volunteers from the YMCA on Sunday. "We're just having our jabs done and trying to find an airline that will fly us and our cargo there for free," Chiang said.

Operation Restoration will take medication, water-purification tablets and water converters (which transform moisture in the air into water) to the cities of Batticaloa, Kallar, Kalmunai and Ampara.

Chiang agrees with the Red Cross that only volunteers knowing what they are doing should go to the affected countries. "The Red Cross is correct. If you go there not knowing what you're doing, you're not only inherence, you're also a liability," he noted.