American Red Cross to announce $500,000 for flood affected region

President of American Red Cross to tour Tabasco via helicopter - Friday, November 9

WASHINGTON, Thursday, November 08, 2007 — The President of the American Red Cross, Mark W. Everson, will get a first-hand look of  the flooded regions of Southern Mexico with the President of the Mexican Red Cross to observe relief efforts for the people of Tabasco that have been supported in part by the American Red Cross.

The American Red Cross is responding to the flood emergency relief efforts of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Mexican Red Cross by providing $500,000 in financial assistance and supplies, an international relief worker and is weighing additional response options.  The American Red Cross and the Mexican Red Cross have a rich history of helping each other during times of disaster.  Just last month, the Mexican Red Cross sent ten workers to assist the American Red Cross in reaching out to the Spanish speaking community.

More than 70% of the state of Tabasco in Southern Mexico remains flooded and the waters are not expected to recede for another 2-3 weeks.  The flooding, which has affected more than one million people, resulted from unusually heavy rains that caused rivers to overflow their banks in the Mexican state of Tabasco, which was already waterlogged after Hurricanes Dean and Felix.

WHAT: President of the American Red Cross, Mark W. Everson, visits flooded region in Tabasco, Mexico with the President of the Mexican Red Cross

WHERE: Villahermosa, Mexico; Additional itinerary details forthcoming

WHEN: Friday, November 9, 2007

HOW: Interviews can be scheduled through Winnie Romeril in Villahermosa at 202-812-4663 or Susannah Cernojevich in Washington, DC at 202-276-2322

Every day people around the world are suffering from disasters, like the cyclone in Myanmar. 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. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation by either contacting 1-800-HELP NOW or mailing your donation, with the designation, to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.