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Voices from the Field: American Red Cross Relief Workers Join Ongoing Earthquake Relief Efforts in Indonesia
Kristin Nielson, Special to RedCross.org
Friday, July 14, 2006 — American Red Cross international relief workers Colin Chaperon of Arlington, Va., and Travis Betz of New York, N.Y., arrived in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, on June 24, 2006, to join the ongoing earthquake relief efforts of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
American Red Cross relief worker Colin Chaperon works alongside members of Palang Merah Indonesia (PMI), the Indonesian national Red Cross society, in assessing the distribution of standard relief packages. Distributions occur daily, targeting up to 500 families per day.
(Photo credit: American Red Cross)
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The American Red Cross, one of 20 Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies providing assistance, has been working tirelessly to aid the Indonesian Red Cross in its efforts to help those affected by the May 27 earthquake. Working in close coordination with the Spanish Red Cross, Chaperon and Betz joined the ongoing relief effort as a part of an Emergency Response Unit (ERU) focusing on the distribution of non-food supplies, including much needed items such as tents, tarps and hygiene kits.
The 6.3 magnitude earthquake, which struck less than 18 months after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami, left hundreds of thousands of people without food, shelter or access to clean water. Latest reports estimate more than 5,000 people lost their lives while more than 38,000 were injured. Hundreds of thousands have been left homeless by the earthquake.
While this is the first Red Cross international deployment for Chaperon and Betz, they both became interested in the Red Cross while living outside the U.S. Growing up in Zimbabwe, Chaperon was constantly exposed to the beneficial work of the Red Cross. From an early age, Chaperon knew that he wanted to work for the organization whose ubiquitous red and white logo had come to represent relief and aid.
“It has always been a dream of mine to go out and help in a relief effort,” Chaperon said. Betz realized the importance of the Red Cross while working abroad as a medical student in mobile clinics, and he joined the organization after returning to the U.S.
American Red Cross relief worker Travis Betz stands between local International Federation Red Cross volunteers in front of a bunker. (Photo credit: American Red Cross)
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Like many international Red Cross workers, Chaperon and Betz first became involved with the American Red Cross through their local chapters. After college, Chaperon served in the Marine Corps until he joined the American Red Cross chapter in Gainesville, Fla. He moved to the Arlington County Chapter seven years ago, where he is currently the director of operations for his chapter and for emergency relief operations in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
In 2004, Betz completed his post-graduate work in public health and joined his hometown chapter, the American Red Cross of Greater New York, traveling to Florida to help with the response to Hurricane Charley within his first three weeks on the job. He is currently the director of logistics and field communication disaster services. After several years in their local communities, both Chaperon and Betz were looking forward to representing the American Red Cross internationally.
Upon arriving in Indonesia, the two Red Cross workers were impressed by the strength of the Indonesian people in the face of devastation and destruction. There is “incredible damage and loss of property; however, the resilience of the communities is really amazing. Life is continuous, along with the re-building,” said Chaperon.
UPDATED: This article was updated on July 17, 2006, from its original published version to correct the caption of the second photograph.
You can help those affected by countless crises 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. Please call 1-800-RED CROSS 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 www.redcross.org. 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.
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