Published: 13 September 2004
The first international Red Cross Red Crescent relief flight arrived in Grenada on Sunday bringing essential humanitarian assistance for those affected by the violent hurricane that hit the country last week. Hurricane Ivan has left at least 60 people dead and thousands homeless across the Caribbean.
A Red Cross flight, provided through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies/DHL partnership, flew in 22 tonnes of humanitarian aid including plastic sheeting, jerry cans, hygiene parcels and generators. Also flown in were a British Red Cross logistics emergency response unit and an assessment team to coordinate the Red Cross assistance.
Additional Red Cross flights carrying relief goods are scheduled to arrive in Jamaica and Grenada in the coming days. On Wednesday, the Canadian Red Cross, with Canadian government assistance, will fly in relief goods which include generators, jerry cans, pick axes, a prefabricated warehouse, water and sanitation equipment and supplies, plastic sheeting and shovels.
On 10 September, the International Federation launched an appeal for 1.75 million Swiss francs (US$ 1.39 million) to provide assistance for up to 10,000 people. This appeal will be revised according to the needs assessments.