Published: 7 May 2003
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies today warned that 150,000 people are still in danger from the devastating floods which have hit the Argentine province of Sante Fé leaving 23 people dead and many more missing. Some 100,000 people have been evacuated from their homes.
The Federation has launched an appeal on behalf of the Argentine Red Cross for Swiss francs 607,000 (US$ 454,000) to provide emergency assistance to the homeless.
"Large parts of Santa Fé city remain under water and a curfew has been imposed as a measure against looting. These factors make it difficult to carry out a thorough evaluation of the needs. We are aiming to help at least 8,000 people through the Argentine Red Cross,” said International Federation secretary general, Didier Cherpitel, who has just returned from a mission to the country.
“These people are living in evacuation centres and they need food, hygiene kits, cooking sets and water storage containers," said Cherpitel.
Argentine Red Cross volunteers have so far rescued over 2,000 people from the floodwaters. They also plan to provide at least 800 families with support to clean up their homes once they return.
For further information, or to set up interviews, please contact:
In Santa Fé
Paola Chorna, Regional Information Delegate Tel: + 549 114 196 06 06
In Geneva
Denis McClean, Head, Media Service - Tel: + 41 22 730 44 28 / + 41 79 217 33 57
Media Service Duty Phone - Tel: + 41 79 416 38 81