|
Red Cross Needs Public Support for Ongoing Hurricane Relief Efforts
Written by
Lesly C. Simmons
, Staff Writer, RedCross.org
Friday, September 23, 2005 — The American Red Cross will serve the victims of Hurricane Rita as it has done with Hurricane Katrina and countless other storms, but it can’t do it without the ongoing support of the American public.
The Red Cross has projected at least a $2 billion tab to cover the response to Hurricane Katrina, and untold additional expenses for Hurricane Rita. So far the organization has raised nearly $854 million, and already spent or committed $700 million for Katrina relief.
American Red Cross Senior Vice President of Preparedness and Response Joe Becker provides reporters with an update regarding the ongoing Hurricane Katrina relief effort and the preparations for Hurricane Rita's landfall during a press briefing held at the Red Cross national Disaster Operations Center at their headquarters in Washington, D.C., Sept. 23, 2005.
(Photo Credit: Amanda Mark/American Red Cross) |
“We have a long way to go in our fundraising to meet the needs of people from Katrina, let alone what we need to do for the people of Rita," said Joe Becker, senior vice president of preparedness and response with the Red Cross. "As fast as the money is coming in, we are spending it."
Becker spoke to the media Friday about the work the Red Cross continues to do for the victims of Katrina, and plans to support those who have already started to feel the impact of Rita. That storm is expected to make landfall early Saturday morning near Lake Charles, La. and Port Charles, Tx.
“In Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi our role at this point for Rita is to open evacuation shelters,” Becker said. “They are open and filling as we speak. We’re opening shelters as needed and we will open as far away from Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi as needed.”
As with other disasters, the Red Cross has pre-positioned supplies as close to the areas expected to be impacted by the storm including 145,000 heater meals, 20,000 cots, 34 kitchens and food for kitchens, around Dallas and San Antonio.
“After the storm passes many of the people in the evacuation shelters will be able to go back home, and our role will be to shelter those that don’t have a home to go back to,” Becker continued. “After the storm we will also move the communities affected to provide food to people wherever we find them gathered.”
Before Katrina, the largest American Red Cross response in history was to the four hurricanes that struck in 2004: Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne. But by comparison those efforts are miniscule to what the Red Cross has done in 2005 for Katrina alone. For example:
- The Red Cross deployed 35,000 staffers to respond to all four hurricanes in 2004. For Katrina alone the response has already required 150,000 staffers.
- 73,000 individuals required financial assistance from the Red Cross during the 2004 hurricane season, compared to 900,000 so far after Katrina.
- The cost for the 2004 hurricane season cost $130 million for the Red Cross, versus the expected $2 billion cost for Katrina.
Donors wishing to support Red Cross relief efforts can help victims of these storms and other disasters around the country by supporting the Disaster Relief Fund, which supports Red Cross disaster responses around the country.
“This is the time for Americans to wrap their arms around those in need," said Becker. "It’s a time for neighbors to help neighbors. The American Red Cross always says we need your time, your money and your blood. That time is now.”
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country each year, disasters like the Midwest ice storms, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of disaster. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation. Call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
Related Links:
Related Content:
|
