American Red Cross Responds to Chile Earthquake with Initial $50,000 Pledge
Sunday, February 28, 2010 — The American Red Cross is responding to the strong 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile, making an initial $50,000 pledge from its International Response Fund for relief operations.
“Our hearts go out to the people of Chile as they cope with the immediate aftermath of this earthquake and the continuing aftershocks,” says David Meltzer, senior vice president of international services with the American Red Cross. “Thanks to the generosity of the American people who previously donated to our International Relief Fund, we’ve been able to release an initial pledge to help the Chilean people in their hour of need and we stand ready to provide additional assistance.”
In addition, the American Red Cross will continue to monitor the potential impacts of Saturday’s tsunami and is prepared to help the people of Hawaii and the U.S. territories in the Pacific, if there is a need. As of Saturday night, all tsunami warnings resulting from the devastating earthquake in Chile have been cancelled.
A regional member of the Red Cross global network is now in Chile assessing the situation and a small team of other Red Cross emergency workers, including one member from the American Red Cross, are enroute to Santiago.
Chilean Red Cross disaster teams are working in close coordination with the Chilean government, providing limited search and rescue services, administering first aid and distributing pre-positioned supplies. The Chilean Red Cross is a member of the government’s emergency response group, which is leading the emergency operations and has a great deal of experience and systems in place to manage response to major disasters.
In international disasters, the American Red Cross provides assistance at the request of the officials in that country, and the Chilean Red Cross has not requested any international assistance at this point. Because the level of help that the American Red Cross would provide is not known at this point, the American Red Cross has not activated a mobile giving $10 text donation program.
Meanwhile, the American Red Cross and other Red Cross societies are continuing to support the relief operations in Haiti, where 1.3 million people have been helped since the January 12th earthquake in that country.
“As the largest humanitarian network in the world, the Red Cross has both the experience and the capacity to respond to multiple disasters at the same time,” Meltzer said. “We are supporting the Chilean Red Cross in their response to the earthquake while relief operations continue in Haiti.”
You can help the victims of countless crises, like the earthquakes in Chile and Haiti, 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 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish), or mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
Become a hero for the American Red Cross. A hero pledges to raise
$1000 for our chapter.
$1000 will
provide...
476 comfort kits containing
toiletries to disaster victims who have lost their homes
28 sleeping cots or 198 blankets
for disaster victims who must sleep in a shelter
8800 “Are You Ready for a
Tornado?” brochures for distribution to local residents
Infant formula and supplies for
20 babies after a disaster
Shoes for 50 disaster victims or
clothing for 9 individuals
Food and groceries for up to 10
families of three in one week
Minor building repairs to make
habitable 2 homes damaged by disaster
What to do to prepare for a Tornado
Prepare a Home Tornado
Plan
Pick a place where family members could gather if a tornado is headed your
way. It could be your basement or, if there is no basement, a center hallway,
bathroom, or closet on the lowest floor. Keep this place uncluttered.
If you are in a high-rise building, you may not have enough time to go to
the lowest floor. Pick a place in a hallway in the center of the building.
Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit
Containing--
- First aid kit and essential medications.
- Canned food and can opener.
- At least three gallons of water per person.
- Protective clothing, bedding, or sleeping bags.
- Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
- Special items for infant, elderly, or disabled family members.
- Written instructions on how to turn off electricity, gas, and water if
authorities advise you to do so. (Remember, you'll need a professional to turn
natural gas service back on.)
Stay Tuned for Storm
Warnings
- Listen to your local radio and TV stations for updated storm information.
- Know what a tornado WATCH and WARNING means:
- A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible in your area.
- A tornado WARNING means a tornado has been sighted and may be headed for
your area. Go to safety immediately.
- Tornado WATCHES and WARNINGS are issued by county or parish.
When a Tornado WATCH Is
Issued...
- Listen to local radio and TV stations for further updates.
- Be alert to changing weather conditions. Blowing debris or the sound of an
approaching tornado may alert you. Many people say it sounds like a freight
train.
When a Tornado WARNING Is
Issued...
- If you are inside, go to the safe place you picked to protect yourself from
glass and other flying objects. The tornado may be approaching your area.
- If you are outside, hurry to the basement of a nearby sturdy building or lie
flat in a ditch or low-lying area.
- If you are in a car or mobile home, get out immediately and head for safety
(as above).
After the Tornado
Passes...
- Watch out for fallen power lines and stay out of the damaged area.
- Listen to the radio for information and instructions.
- Use a flashlight to inspect your home for damage.
- Do not use candles at any time.
|
