American Red Cross Emergency Response
Tsunami survivors receive essential household supplies including an American Red Cross hygiene parcel at a relief distribution in Sri Lanka.
(Photo Credit: American Red Cross) |
Called the world’s deadliest tsunami, the massive waves that struck 12 countries on two continents Dec. 26, 2004, left millions injured, homeless or displaced without even the basics of life – food, clean water or shelter. The ocean waters that barreled through communities brought with them other hazards to health, such as contamination and sanitation concerns, and trauma and grief would take a toll on the emotional and mental well-being of those who had to struggle to survive the destructive force of the tidal wave.
Within hours of the disaster, the American Red Cross prepared for an emergency relief effort to help meet unprecedented humanitarian needs. The worldwide International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), including the American Red Cross, launched the largest emergency relief operation in its history. The Movement mobilized more than 22,000 volunteers from some 40 Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies around the globe and, along with other global humanitarian organization partners, has helped more than nine million tsunami survivors to date.
Initial American Red Cross relief efforts focused on getting aid into the hands of tsunami survivors after their homes, communities and livelihoods were lost. In the first six months, the American Red Cross:
-
Immediately mobilized relief supplies and disaster relief experts to provide disaster assessment, water and sanitation rehabilitation, emergency food distribution, relief supply coordination, disease prevention, psychosocial support and family reunification activities.
-
Rushed emergency food assistance to more than 1.6 million people in Indonesia, Sri Lanka and the Maldives through a partnership with the World Food Program.
-
Provided safe drinking water and sanitation to tsunami survivors by supplying water storage units in the Maldives , and offering guidance for long term water supply and household sanitation programs in Indonesia , Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Maldives.
-
Provided relief supplies to 400,000 tsunami survivors. This aid included family tents, sleeping mats, cooking sets, hygiene kits and much more.
-
Vaccinated nearly 1.1 million children in Indonesia against measles in conjunction with United Nations agencies, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the World Health Organization (WHO) to prevent outbreaks of disease.
-
Trained local psychosocial support volunteers – including teachers, community leaders and clerics - who assisted more than 100,000 grieving survivors.
While the American Red Cross continues delivering aid to meet these ongoing humanitarian needs, programs have begun for the long-term recovery phase and will take place over the next five years. The American Red Cross has established a team of disaster relief and development experts to implement its Tsunami Recovery Program (TRP) to help restore the lives, communities and livelihoods of tsunami survivors. Thanks to the generosity of the individual, corporate and foundation supporters, the American Red Cross has sufficient funds to meet the needs of tsunami survivors.
|
