WASHINGTON, Dec. 29 -- PRNewswire/ AsiaNet
As of Noon today, just three days after a powerful tsunami impacted
countries in southern Asia and eastern Africa, Americans have generously
contributed approximately $18 million to the American Red Cross International
Response Fund, which supports both immediate and long term relief efforts for
disaster victims in countries outside the United States.
Immediately after the earthquake, the American Red Cross established
contact with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies and our sister societies located in the nine affected countries to
determine how best the organization can be of assistance to those affected by
the tsunami. Typically, the American Red Cross, through our International
Response Fund, provides our international partners with trained personnel,
relief supplies and/or direct monetary assistance.
"I'm heartened that the American people are turning to the American Red
Cross as a conduit for their compassion and concern for the families affected
by the tsunami in Asia," said Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the
American Red Cross.
Currently, senior leadership at the American Red Cross are in close
coordination with our international partners to determine the scope of the
monetary needs that exist as a result of this disaster, and, in the coming
weeks, will make informed decisions as to how best to support this expansive
international relief effort through direct cash assistance.
"The American Red Cross will be as transparent as possible. I want to
assure donors that their intent will be honored and their contributions to the
International Response Fund will be used to meet the needs of earthquake
victims in the days, week and months ahead," Evans continued.
When international disasters strike, the American Red Cross has personnel
trained in three key competency areas: water sanitation services, family
linking and reunification and relief supply distribution. Today, an American
Red Cross water sanitation engineer was deployed to the Maldives and two
relief workers are on route to Sri Lanka and Indonesia.
Additionally, an American Red Cross team of workers trained in relief
supply distribution will likely be deployed to the affected areas in the next
24-48 hours. The American Red Cross is also coordinating with other societies
on how to evenly distribute a stockpile of $350,000 worth of relief supplies
pre-positioned in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. These supplies include tents,
blankets, tarps, plastic sheeting and hygiene kits.
You can help those affected by this crisis and countless others around the
world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross
International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term
support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those
in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to
the International Response Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross
chapter or to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, P.O. Box
37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online
contribution by visiting http://www.redcross.org.
SOURCE: American Red Cross
CONTACT: American Red Cross, Disaster Public Affairs,
+1-202-303-5551
Web site: http://www.redcross.org
--Distributed by AsiaNet (www.asianetnews.net)--