Attacks on US - American Red Cross mobilizes emergency teams
11 September 2001

The American Red Cross has mobilized emergency teams to help victims of devastating attacks on New York and Washington. Two aircraft crashed into the upper floors of New York's World Trade Centre, and a third plane crashed into the Pentagon building in Washington, D.C. The numbers of dead and injured were not immediately known. The US blamed terrorists for the attacks.

The American Red Cross immediately activated its Aviation Incident Response Team to respond in New York City. Trained disaster workers from the American Red Cross of Greater New York and the National Capitol Chapter in Washington, D.C. are providing relief in the affected areas. The Society is ready to ship 80,000 units of blood to the disaster zones and is preparing to provide crisis mental health counselling to people emotionally traumatised by the tragedies.

International Federation President Astrid Heiberg and Secretary General Didier Cherpitel sent a letter of sympathy to the American Red Cross President, Dr. Bernardine Healy, and its Chairman, David McLaughlin.

It read : "Dear Friends, We have just heard news of the dramatic and catastrophic events which have struck New York and Washington this morning. We, with all our Federation colleagues, send you all our sympathy and prayers. If there is anything we can do to help you through this tragedy, please let us know."

For further details, please visit the American Red Cross web site links below.

Related links
The American Red Cross web site
American Red Cross news story on response