 |
Search : | ||
|
|||
News
|
News stories
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
21 September 2001 by Karen Coates in New York Shocked and saddened by the recent attacks in the United States, members of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement are sending an outpouring of compassionate messages, offering to provide volunteers, blood, financial assistance, search and rescue teams and other in-kind donations to support the work of the American Red Cross. Around the globe from Canada to the Czech Republic, from Mexico to Mozambique, national societies are expressing profound shock and offering assistance. Canadian Red Cross Secretary General Pierre Duplessis noted, "Our hearts go out to you in this time of crisis and I wish to assure you that our Society is at your disposal to assist…." The Canadian Red Cross has provided assistance to Americans and others stranded at Canadian airports, sent a trained communications expert to help the American Red Cross in New York and collect spontaneous contributions for the relief efforts. In letters and calls to the American Red Cross, the Mexican Red Cross offered any needed support they could provide. "The Mexican Red Cross … wish[es] to express our most sincere solidarity in this very critical moment that your country is going through. Please count on our unconditional support. We will be ready for anything you might need." The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) also expressed their shock and sorrow over the attacks. Federation Secretary General Didier Cherpitel and numerous staff called the American Red Cross and offered continuous assistance and guidance to societies on how to contribute to relief efforts. The ICRC also condemned the attack and noted, "There are no words to describe how much the ICRC is appalled by the devastating attacks that have been perpetrated in your country." This unprecedented disaster has indeed reached all corners of the earth including Samoa whose Red Cross said, "Needless to say the whole world is in shock and even our small island nation …has not been insulated from the traumatic affect of this incident…" In Europe, Prof. K. Ispsen of the German Red Cross said, "On behalf of the German Red Cross I would like to share with you our deepest feeling of shock and sorrow after the unbelievable cruel attack on vital institutions not only of the American people but of the whole free world…you can count on any assistance which the American Red Cross deems necessary to relieve the suffering of your people." The British Red Cross, set up a call centre to handle an overwhelming number of contributors and wrote, "…we wanted you to know that the thoughts and good wishes of all of us in the British Red Cross are with you at this time. Know that we are with you in spirit and of course that we will help you in any way we can." Messages of shock and condolences have also come from the Middle East. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said, "We wish to express to you our deep sorrow…We at PRCS stand in solidarity with you in these tragic and sad times, and put all our modest means at your service. May God Bless You and Protect You." In Israel, the president of Magen David Adom and the director general have offered to send medical teams and meet emergency needs for blood. Dr. Ahmad Ali Noorbala, president of the Iranian Red Crescent Society wrote, "I would like to express our sympathy and condolences to the victims of this tragic event and wish you…success in your humanitarian efforts. We, hereby, declare the preparedness of our Society to provide any assistance to the affected people." Related links American Red Cross web site - for up-to-date information about all American Red Cross activities, how to make a cash donations or donate blood. Other Federation stories, reports and links |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
