Red Cross Distributes Comfort Kits to Guam Shelters

Written by Carrie Martin, Special to RedCross.org

GUAM, Dec. 26, 2002 — The holiday spirit continued the day after Christmas as the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) delivered much-needed items to 13 shelters across Guam. Thousands of people who lost their homes in Supertyphoon Pongsona have been living in the shelters for more than two weeks.

While FEMA distributed tents to shelter residents, the American Red Cross distributed 3,800 comfort kits to help the victims of Typhoon Pongsona transition back to their homes. Most families will set up the FEMA tents in their backyards as repairs are made to their badly damaged homes.

When families lose their homes to a disaster, they ofen don't have time to think about the day-to-day items they'll need as they begin to rebuild, which is why Red Cross comfort kits always bring a smile to even the smallest storm victims.

The Red Cross comfort kits contain essential personal hygiene items that people lost in the storm, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, small pocket combs, washcloths, shampoo, tissues, deodorant, razors and shaving cream. The kits, which the Red Cross distributes to victims of both small and large-scale disasters, are often assembled by American school children volunteers.

Representatives from the Guam Federation of Teachers and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers helped the Red Cross distribute the kits to each of the 13 government-run shelters, which are housed in schools and are typically managed by the school’s principal or assistant principal.

Pacifico Villapa and his wife Charmaine Quinata, along with their three young children, were among those who received comfort kits and a FEMA tent. The family is one of 45 families (299 people) living at the Wettengel Elementary School shelter since December 9.

“We still have no electricity or roof over our bathroom, and our home is still badly flooded,” said Villapa, who plans to set up the FEMA tent for his family in his backyard while repairs are made to his home.

Villapa obtained a case number when he called the special Red Cross toll-free number set up for the victims of Typhoon Pongsona. He plans to visit the Red Cross service center in Agat later this week to receive assistance. To date, over 23,000 case numbers have been issued to residents of Guam by the Red Cross call center, which is staffed by volunteers thousands of miles away in Falls Church, Virginia.

From December 16, when the first Red Cross service center opened in the island’s town of Astumbo, to the close of business on December 24, the American Red Cross has distributed nearly $4.5 million to 6,559 people. The amount of assistance is based on need and family size.

The local Guam toll-free hotline and both Red Cross service centers will remain open until there is no longer a need for vital Red Cross assistance.

You can help victims of this and thousands of other national disasters each year 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 those in need. Click here to make a secure online donation.

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