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Testimonial of Christian Rivera, Ecuadorian Red Cross Relief Worker
June 15, 2001 —
Christian Rivera is part of the Ecuadorian Red Cross national headquarters staff and a paramedic. On Monday, June 11, he joined one of 48 nationwide first contact brigades that are trained in first aid, disaster preparedness and response. The Red Cross brigades consist of local volunteers who are ready to help at a moment's notice.
"It was raining lightly when our team came upon Gloria Velasco. Despite her weakened condition, she lovingly and protectively carried the lifeless body of her small son in her arms. The child had died earlier that morning, succumbing to his wounds, shock and the intense cold and damp of the mountains. Upon seeing the Red Cross workers, Gloria's facial expression changed, she regained hope.
"Save my other child," were the only words she could say before falling to the ground. She was referring to her unborn child, she is four weeks pregnant and was in danger of losing this baby because of the disaster. We quickly took her to a neighboring home where she received some emergency first aid before being evacuated to a hospital.
Working in knee-deep mud to provide emergency first aid to survivors, we didn't realize that our bodies were being numbed by the cold. After searching through various mudslides, we reached the town of Cuyuja where people had gathered from the disaster zone to seek relief and assistance. There we encountered a young woman who earlier was rescued near Quebrada Negra. Her condition was critical despite medical attention from the Red Cross worker who helped rescue her. We needed to transport her to the nearest advanced medical aid station, several kilometers away. But as we carried her to the station, she died from her injuries.
After seven hours of walking, helping the injured and recovering the dead under drenching rain and the threat of more mudslides, our team reached the Red Cross disaster operations headquarters in Guangos. Warm welcomes, hot coffee and dry clothes awaited our arrival. We welcomed our colleagues as they arrived to rest from this work for a short while. We would all soon leave, returning to the devastated areas to continue helping those in need."
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. You can help those affected by this crisis and countless others 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. You can make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives.
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