Hurricane
Katrina is one of the most devastating storms in US history.
More than 63,000 Red Cross volunteers and staff have been mobilized
to respond to this disaster. Around 700 Red Cross shelters were
established and are housing thousands of residents who fled
Katrina’s wrath.
More than 200,000 hurricane survivors have found safety, food,
water and comfort in those facilities.
In addition, the Red Cross is making it possible for 54,000
people, who are running out of personal resources, to remain
in hotels in 46 states. Nearly 7 million hot meals have been
served in two weeks.
International Federation Secretary General, Markku Niskala,
paid a visit to the American Red Cross to show his support and
solidarity after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast leaving
thousands and thousands of people homeless and displaced.
The Secretary General visited Armory shelter in Washington DC
where almost 300 people arrived on Tuesday from the Katrina
affected area. Only 166 people remain in the shelter “but
we do not know how many are due to come,” said Dr. Phil
Terry, Executive Director, D.C. Office. “We will be here
as long as we are needed.”
As in the rest of the shelters managed by the American Red Cross
in Armory, people are receiving all kind of services including
hot meals, water, hygiene kits and psychological support. Computers
have been connected so that people have access to the Family
Link Website that helps those seeking to re-establish contact
with family members and friends.
The Secretary General also visited the American Red Cross headquarters
in Washington where he was briefed and updated on the Katrina
operation by the President of the National Society, Marty Evans
and other senior management.
“The American Red Cross launched the largest mobilization
of resources in its history for a single natural disaster”,
said Marty Evans.
Markku Niskala inspected relief work being carried out by American
Red Cross, visiting the Disasters Operation Center where hundreds
of volunteers and staff have been working around the clock since
the beginning of the emergency.
The Secretary General, representative of 181 National Societies
of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, said he was highly impressed
by the work of the American Red Cross, especially its volunteers
who have been doing a heroic job alleviating the suffering of
affected families.
“We are facing a lot of challenges, but we are doing our
best. Because the impact of Katrina is so widespread in terms
of both numbers of people affected and geography, the Red Cross
is working right now on innovative plans to expand upon the
financial assistance we always provide,” added Evans.
This innovation includes a pilot project started in the Houston
Astrodome where the Red Cross has distributed a prepaid card
to those sheltered there to enable them to buy emergency food,
clothing and other basic necessities.
The work has just begun. The challenge of recovery for the people
is much greater. The American Red Cross is focusing all its
efforts in the emergency phase that it is likely to last at
least 90 days. Once urgent disaster-caused needs are met, the
Red Cross, along with partners will assess what longer-term
needs exist. This unprecedented disaster requires a brave response
and the Red Cross will be flexible as the needs of affected
populations evolve.
The American Red Cross has also received the support from many
National Societies. Around 140 disaster experts from the Red
Cross are already in the United States supporting the American
Red Cross operation. They are supporting thousands of volunteers
on the ground providing food and shelter to tens of thousands
of people affected by the disaster.
Other Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies have activated
fundraising campaigns, have activated their family link services
or have sent money to support this massive relief operation.
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International
Federation Secretary General, Markku Niskala, paid a visit
to the American Red Cross to show his support and solidarity
after Hurricane Katrina. (p13258)
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Markku
Niskala inspected relief work being carried out by American
Red Cross, visiting the Disasters Operation Center. (p13259)
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