WASHINGTON, May 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As tropical storms
continue to batter the affected area of the Irrawaddy delta, survivors of
Cyclone Nargis are vulnerable to diseases and other severe problems. Many
survivors still need assistance, as exposure to the foul weather and
malnutrition are creating an increasingly dire situation.
"The people living in these conditions urgently need more help to
recover from this disaster and get back on their feet," said David Meltzer,
senior vice president, international services of the American Red Cross.
"The Myanmar Red Cross and others are working hard to deliver relief and
stave off these life-threatening secondary problems."
Already, more than 16 plane loads of supplies from the International
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have landed in Yangon,
carrying sheltering materials, mosquito nets, water purification systems
and other emergency supplies.
This includes three plane loads of goods from the American Red Cross,
providing more than 18,000 insecticide-treated mosquito nets for malaria
prevention and 3,500 tarps for shelter. In total, the American Red Cross is
mobilizing 10,000 tarps, 20,000 mosquito nets, 3,800 kitchen sets, 30,000
water containers and 15,000 hygiene kits from its warehouses stocks in
Kuala Lumpur and Dubai. The American Red Cross has committed an initial
contribution of $1.5 million in relief supplies and financial resources to
help survivors following this cyclone and is prepared to send in additional
resources and supplies in the coming days.
The Red Cross has established a relief pipeline into Myanmar, and more
than 27,000 volunteers from the Myanmar Red Cross are distributing the bulk
of these supplies. The Red Cross is establishing a series of regional hubs
in the affected area that will be staffed by trained, local Red Cross
volunteers.
The American Red Cross continues to assist survivors of the cyclone in
Myanmar and the major earthquake in China, which struck on May 12, which
serve as a stark reminder of the sudden and devastating impact that
disasters have on people around the world. The rapid response of the
American Red Cross to these and other disasters is made possible because
the Red Cross has strategically pre-positioned supplies around the world
and is able to quickly mobilize resources. This is only made possible
through contributions to the International Response Fund. For more
information, visit: http://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 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.
SOURCE American Red Cross
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Related links:
http://www.redcross.org
CONTACT:
The American Red Cross Public Affairs Desk,
+1-202-303-5551
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