|
American Red Cross Supports Relief for Russian Hostage Victims
Thursday, September 23, 2004 — Following the tragic hostage standoff in a Russian school that ended in the deaths of more than 330 people on Sept. 3, the American Red Cross is accepting contributions to support the long term needs of the survivors, the families and the affected community of Beslan, Russia.
You can help by making a financial contribution – call 1-800-HELP-NOW, or mail your contribution by check to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37295, Washington, DC 20013. The American Red Cross is not able to accept small, individual donations or collections of items for this crisis. Financial support is the best form of assistance those wishing to help can provide.
Marina, holding her youngest daughter, was among the hostages. She was held with her two daughters and her mother. Her mother perished during the siege. The elder daughter is in the hospital. |
Up to 1,200 people, including students, teachers and parents, were held in a school gymnasium in the southern-Russia town of Beslan. Many of the hostages were released or escaped, but not all in the building were able to make it out before explosives ended the siege. Hundreds were injured, and more than 100 people more are still unaccounted for.
Just days after the tragedy, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies launched a financial appeal for $680,000 to provide for the psychological and emergency health needs of the affected people in Beslan. An outpouring of international support generated enough funds to meet this appeal, and 2,000 people in the community will benefit from these health services for the next 12 months. The Russian Red Cross and International Federation are developing an action plan with the help of psychological and emergency health specialists to address long-term needs of the population.
The Russian Red Cross immediately mobilized its staff and volunteers who were on site near the school, to bring food and comfort to the families of the hostages, and with the International Committee of the Red Cross, they helped to evacuate some of the hostages during the stand-off. The ICRC has also provided medical supplies and medicines to local hospitals and plans to begin providing transportation to and from the hospitals for the families of the wounded.
As it often does in disasters situations, the ICRC will assist in tracing and identifying missing people. Doctors, psychologists and nurses along with volunteers are working in hospitals in Beslan and nearby Vladikavkaz. A Russian Red Cross truck filled with relief goods traveled to Beslan, carrying items like toys, clothes, sweets, games, school bags and stationery to help comfort affected children and their families.
"The international solidarity that is being shown once again emphasizes the power of humanity," said Russian Red Cross President Tatyana Nikolaenko.
The American Red Cross is accepting contributions
to support the long term needs of the survivors,
the families and the affected community of Beslan, Russia.
You can help by making a financial contribution
– call 1-800-HELP-NOW, or mail your contribution
by check to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37295,
Washington, DC 20013.
|
