Costs of Response Essentially Met but Donations Still Needed to Prepare
for Future Disasters
WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --- The American Red Cross
today announced that it has met the expected costs of the California
wildfires but still needs donations to its Disaster Relief Fund to ensure
it can respond to the next disaster just as swiftly and effectively as it
did in Southern California.
When the wildfires struck, the Red Cross opened 26 shelters in Southern
California, providing a safe place to stay for approximately 6,000 evacuees
at the peak of the fires. Some 5,000 Red Cross disaster relief workers ---
more than 90 percent of them volunteers from all 50 states -- rushed to
ensure that survivors had shelter, food, and comfort. Survivors are now
receiving clean-up supplies, counseling, basic healthcare and family
connecting services. In the coming weeks and months, the Red Cross will
continue to work with community partners to identify resources that can aid
in the long term recovery of survivors.
This level of response would not have been possible without on-going
donations to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. In the wake of
Hurricane Katrina, the Red Cross has made investments to improve its
response capabilities, such as pre-positioning cots and other supplies in
strategic locations across the country. While the Red Cross believes that
due to the extraordinary generosity of the American public, current
financial donations and pledges will be sufficient to cover the estimated
costs of the California wildfires, donations are still urgently needed for
the Disaster Relief Fund.
"We are extremely grateful to the American people for their outpouring
of support to the victims of the California wildfires. Now that the cost of
this response is essentially met, we hope the public will continue to
support our Disaster Relief Fund, which enabled the Red Cross to respond
quickly, effectively and compassionately to the California wildfires," said
Mark W. Everson, President and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Continued
donations to our Disaster Relief Fund will ensure, just as it did in
Southern California, that help is immediately available in communities
across the United States whenever disaster strikes."
Everson noted that while the Nation has not had a Katrina-like event in
two years, the number of significant floods, wildfires and other disasters
has risen dramatically, as well as the costs of responding to those events.
The Red Cross also spends millions of dollars on costs it
cannot recover, such as pre-positioning resources for Hurricane Dean,
which fortunately missed our shores.
Many donations to the relief efforts remain in "pledge" form and, while
not yet received by the Red Cross, have been incorporated into the estimate
of funds raised for the California wildfire response. The cost of the Red
Cross's relief operations is estimated not to exceed
$12-15 million. It is important for supporters to fulfill their pledged
gifts.
The Red Cross is committed to keeping donors and the public informed of
how donations are being used to provide ongoing relief and has a standard
practice of informing the public when sufficient funds have been raised to
cover the costs associated with a Red Cross disaster response. The Red
Cross will no longer initiate fundraising activities specifically for the
California wildfires but will continue to urge the public to donate to the
Disaster Relief Fund or their local Red Cross chapter so the Red Cross can
be there whenever and wherever people need us.
You can help the victims of thousands of disasters across the country
each year, disasters like the California wildfires, by making a financial
gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. This Fund enables the
Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to
victims of disasters. Donations can be made by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or
going to http://www.redcross.org to make a secure online contribution.
Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may also be sent to your local
American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243,
Washington, DC 20013. 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.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by
voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red
Cross is not a government agency; it relies on voluntary donations of time,
money, and blood to do its work.
SOURCE American Red Cross
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Related links:
http://www.redcross.org
CONTACT:
American Red Cross Office of Public Affairs,
+1-202-303-5551
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