(Ottawa, December 4, 2004) - The Canadian Red Cross, through a contribution from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is sending $100,000 to support the Philippine National Red Cross as it brings life-saving assistance to the thousands left homeless because of floods and landslides caused by a series of storms and Typhoon Nanmadol. The contribution is in response to a worldwide appeal by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for $2.1 million.
More than 1,000 people in the Philippines are feared dead and some 800,000 people have been affected by the disaster. Many communities around the towns of Real, Infanta and General Nakar, on the main island of Luzon, have been submerged by floodwaters and landslides, and are only accessible by helicopter. Now the rescue and relief operation, already hampered by difficult access and destroyed infrastructure, is being threatened by the arrival of Nanmadol, the most powerful typhoon to hit the Philippines this year.
The International Federation's appeal is a preliminary response to the earlier storms. A full emergency appeal will be launched once the impact of Nanmadol has been evaluated, and the needs of the affected population established.
The Philippine National Red Cross responded quickly to the earlier storms, Muifa, Violeta and Winnie, deploying disaster response teams to rescue and evacuate affected families, provide first aid and immediate relief assistance, and offer psychosocial support.
"When so many are affected, our immediate impulse is to respond quickly and in an appropriate manner" said Wayne MacDonald, National Director, International Programs and Humanitarian Issues Program, Canadian Red Cross. "The response of Canadian Red Cross, through the support of CIDA, is intended to meet the basic needs of victims affected by this crisis. The assessments of damage and the number of people affected are preliminary, but I am confident that if more life-saving support is needed, Canadians will want to help."
Canadians wishing to make a financial donation may donate online, 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 "Philippines Typhoons Relief" 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 the "How We Care For Your Donations" section at www.redcross.ca. Donations of goods are not accepted.
For more information or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson, please contact:
André Doren
National Director, Public Affairs
Canadian Red Cross
Tel.: (613) 740-1927