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Kuwait Donation Used to Shore Up Disaster Response along the Gulf
Katie Fowlie, Special to Redcross.org
Friday, September 01, 2006 — ORLANDO, Fla. — Fifteen sparkling new American Red Cross feeding trucks are now ready to bring nourishment and comfort to those in need this hurricane season, thanks to a $25 million donation from the State of Kuwait and Kuwait Red Crescent Society.
New American Red Cross emergency response vehicles (ERVs), made possible due to a generous donation of $25 million from the State of Kuwait and the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, fresh off the line and ready to roll into action.
(Photo Credit: Marty Robey/American Red Cross)
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So moved by the misery caused by Hurricane Katrina last year and impressed by the Red Cross commitment to help those affected, the State of Kuwait and the Kuwait Red Crescent Society made the donation in February. It is the largest current and recorded single donation received by the American Red Cross.
In addition to the supplementary mobile feeding trucks, known as Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs), the money is funding other improvements for future Red Cross disaster response operations in the hurricane-prone Gulf states, including four new chapter buildings in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, La., Mobile, Ala. and Tallahassee, Fla. These new facilities are expected to be operational within the next two years.
The new ERVs, which each cost about $70,000 and take four months to manufacture, are headed this week to 15 different chapters in the Gulf region. Nationwide, the Red Cross has a fleet of more than 300 ERVs. The boxy white trucks emblazoned with a red cross symbolizing the humanitarian organization are often the first sign of Red Cross relief for people in communities ravaged by disasters, said Danny Hupp, transportation associate for preparedness and response for the Red Cross.
Putting some finishing touches on new Red Cross emergency response vehicles, Orlando, Fla.
(Photo Credit: Marty Robey/American Red Cross)
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“ERVs are a vital part of our response to disasters. This donation has made it possible for us to take more meals, drinks and snacks directly into affected neighborhoods to feed people and help them on their way to recovery,” Hupp said.
Dr. Hilal Al-Sayer, vice president of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, said that he was pleased with how the money was spent. He saw first hand how important the ERVs are to the American Red Cross relief operation when he visited the chapter in New Orleans. The Kuwait Red Crescent donated an additional $2.7 million to the American Red Cross in November 2005.
“We are proud to be able to offer our support to the American Red Cross and the American people,” Al-Sayer said.
The new vehicles are improved versions with more power and safety features, such as full seatbelt harnesses for the volunteer who rides in the back of the truck and serves food.
The donation also paid for a tracking device system that has been installed in most of the vehicles. Jack Rupp, who has been a volunteer for 40 years, helped design the original ERVs in 1985. He explained that the devices allow the Red Cross to better track the locations of its vehicles. In the next year or so, the ERVs also will have equipment similar to global positioning.
Jack "Grumpy" Rupp, who helped design the original American Red Cross emergency response vehicles (ERVs) back in 1985, shows off some of the new and improved ERVs. (Photo Credit: Marty Robey/American Red Cross)
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“This will really help our ERV drivers find their way, especially when road signs are knocked down in disaster areas, and that helps us get food to those in need faster,” Rupp said.
Red Cross volunteers Frank and Avon Monks made the trip to Orlando from their home in Oklahoma to help put the finishing touches on the ERVs and perform final inspections. The husband and wife team carefully applied red and white striped reflective strips on the back bumpers, which can be raised to allow forklifts to get closer to load supplies. They like the improvements—especially the new plastic glove dispenser mounted on the inside of the truck for safe food handling.
“I’m pretty proud it was my wife who suggested it,” he chuckled.
Writer Kate Fowlie is a volunteer with the American Red Cross Bay Area Chapter in Contra Costa County, Calif. Photojournalist Marty Robey is a volunteer with the American Red Cross Central Iowa Chapter.
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.
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