Response to Mexico Floods
Overview
Massive relief operations continue in the southern Mexican states of Tabasco and Chiapas in response to the devastating floods-- one of the largest natural disasters in recent Mexican history.
Recent reports indicate:
- Evacuation phase of the operation has ceased
- Over 1 million people affected in both states
- An estimated 70 percent of Tabasco’s capital city, Villahermosa, remains under water
- Mexican officials estimate another two to three weeks before water levels recede
- An estimated 80,000 people remain in 365 official and unofficial shelters
- Destruction of homes, building, infrastructure, agricultural crops and livestock.
International Federation and Mexican Red Cross Response
- More than 6,000 Mexican Red Cross staff and volunteers continue to conduct emergency activities in ambulatory and medical services, family linking, and transport and distribution of relief supplies
- On November 6, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation) launched a preliminary Emergency Appeal seeking US $1.04 million to assist 40,000 beneficiaries (8,000 families) for four months. The operational activities are geared towards providing beneficiaries with food and relief items and replenishing the Mexican Red Cross pre-positioned stock.
American Red Cross Response
The American Red Cross continues to provide significant support to the relief efforts of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Mexican Red Cross.
The American Red Cross is providing more than $500,000 in financial assistance and supplies to assist flood survivors. This includes $250,000 in partnership with USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. The American Red Cross also sent an international relief worker to the region to work closely with the Mexican Red Cross. A shipment of insecticide-treated mosquito nets was delivered to the affected area to help prevent the spread of malaria. The American Red Cross is in close contact with the Mexican Red Cross and its Movement partners, and stands ready to provide additional support as needed.
The president of the American Red Cross Mark Everson and senior Red Cross staff traveled to the affected area to get a firsthand view of the damage and to meet with counterparts in the Mexican Red Cross and other officials.
Finding Missing Loved Ones
Inquiries concerning U.S. citizens living or traveling in the Caribbean should be referred to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Service, at 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225.
How to Support the Relief Efforts
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Donate to the International Response Fund |
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.
To make a donation: |
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Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) |
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Make a secure, online donation. |
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Contact your local Red Cross chapter |
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Mail a Donation |
The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate a donation for a specific disaster, please do so at the time of donation.
NOTE: The Red Cross has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for its effective use of donations. |
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Become A Volunteer |
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Contact your local Red Cross chapter regarding local opportunities to help at home, or visit VolunteerMatch to become a Red Cross volunteer. Well-meaning individuals are urged not to report directly to the affected areas. |
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Find your local Red Cross chapter |
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Visit VolunteerMatch.org |
Promote the Red Cross |
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Support the American Red Cross by hosting an online advertisement/public service banner on your Web site encouraging others to make a financial donation. |
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Sign up to host an online advertisement/public service banner |
About Donations of Goods or Collected Items
Unsolicited, spontaneous donations of goods and services from individuals and community groups, though well intentioned, have hidden costs and pose a number of complications for relief efforts. For these reasons, the Red Cross is not able to accept any large collections of items, such as used clothing, hygiene items, furniture, toys, and canned goods. Nor are we able to accept small, individual donations of these items.
If you represent a company wishing to offer supplies in bulk, please contact your local Red Cross chapter.
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Read more About Collections of Goods and Individual Items |
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Find your Local Red Cross Chapter |
Inquiries Media or Public
Please visit the American Red Cross Press Room on Redcross.org for the latest press releases, media advisories or statements, links to available news photos, video and public service announcements. |
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Visit the Press Room on Redcross.org |
Medial Requests ONLY |
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NATIONAL Requests: Call Disaster Public Affairs at 202-303-5551 |
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LOCAL Requests: Find and contact the closest Red Cross Chapter |
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Public requests, including private citizen, business, or student: |
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Visit the Contact Us page. |
Additional Resources
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