(Ottawa, October 14, 2005) The Canadian Red Cross announced an additional $100,000 for Hurricane Stan relief efforts in Central America from Canadian donations.
When the disaster struck, the Canadian Red Cross responded immediately with a $200,000 contribution - of which $150,000 came from CIDA. Funds collected from this appeal will provide survivors with food, blankets, kitchen kits, hygiene kits, and clean-up kits.
"Even though this disaster has not garnered a lot of international media attention, the needs for those living in Central America are immense," says John Mulvihill, Deputy Secretary General, Canadian Red Cross. "We appeal to Canadians to help support those families affected by Hurricane Stan in Central America."
The Red Cross is currently carrying out emergency operations in eight countries in Central America, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico, Belize and Haiti to assist more than 10,000 families affected flooding and landslides caused by Hurricane Stan.
More than 500,000 people are in desperate need of food, clean water and shelter. While the death toll in the area is officially just over 650, it is believed that as many as 2,000 people may have perished in the landslides.
Red Cross Societies in the affected countries are playing an important role in the emergency response. More than 2,200 Red Cross relief workers have been working around the clock to conduct search and rescue operations, help with evacuees and distribute humanitarian assistance.
Approximately 2,174 shelters have been set up in the region, providing temporary shelter for 370,000 people. The Guatemalan Red Cross has provided food in more than 200 temporary shelters and is directly managing 32 shelters. Medical aid and psychological support are being given to those injured and traumatized by the tragic disaster. Also, they are helping family members separated by the disaster locate and contact one another.
Red Cross expects more than 70,000 individuals will need help just to meet their basic needs for six months or more as a result of Hurricane Stan. Donations will make this assistance available.
Canadians wishing to make a financial donation may donate online at http://www.redcross.ca/, call 1-800-418-1111 or contact their local Canadian Red Cross office. The 24-hour toll free line accepts Visa and MasterCard. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked "Hurricane Stan" and mailed to Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300; Ottawa, Ontario; K2P 2P2. For information on how Red Cross manages donations, please visit "How We Care For Your Donations." Donations of goods are not accepted.
The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 182 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.
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For more information or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Jenna Clarke
Communications Officer
Canadian Red Cross
Tel: (613) 740-1966
Cell: (613) 296-4669