Red Cross Response to Southern Asia Earthquake and Tsunamis
News Release: December 28, 2004
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
The American Red Cross is responding to the massive disaster in southern Asia after an earthquake off the west coast of Indonesia struck on Dec. 26. Nearly a million people living in the coastal areas have been affected, especially in Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, Indonesia and Thailand.
The American Red Cross, in concert with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, is providing financial assistance, relief supplies, and personnel. The American Red Cross has already sent supplies such as family-size tents, blankets, plastic tarps and hygiene kits from pre-positioned stock in Dubai.
However, the best way for the American public to help the people affected by this disaster in southern Asia is to make a financial contribution by mail, phone or the Internet to a disaster relief organization like the American Red Cross. Financial contributions allow organizations to purchase relief items in the region, eliminating the added costs of shipping and transport from the United States. In addition, cash allows the purchase of culturally appropriate items and helps to stimulate the local economy.
Locally, the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley handled a dozen calls and walk-ins today (12/28) from area residents who made a financial contribution or inquired about setting up an organized fund-raising activity. Funds totaling $2,800 have already been received and processed locally for the international relief efforts.
The American Red Cross encourages the public to use standard lines of communication, such as phone and e-mail, to locate loved ones abroad who may have been affected by this disaster. Information about U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad in the southern Asia region may be obtained by calling the U.S. Department of State at 1-888-407-4747.
For the latest information on this tragedy and the ongoing response, visit www.redcross.org.
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 those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or the local Red Cross at (610) 865-4400. Contributions regarding this disaster may be sent to the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 2200 Avenue A, Bethlehem, PA 18017 or to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org or www.redcrosslv.org.
