Russia: Canadian Red Cross accepting donations to help Beslan hostages and their families
(OTTAWA, September 8, 2004) – In support of the Russian Red Cross (RRC) operation to provide essential assistance the victims of the tragic hostage-taking in a Beslan (North Ossetia) school last week, the Canadian Red Cross is accepting cash donations. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has launched a worldwide preliminary appeal for more than $873,000. These funds will be used to finance the costs of treatment for 2,000 people over the next twelve months.
This long-term assistance aims to alleviate post traumatic stress through consultations and stays at rehabilitation centres, to allow hostages and their families to overcome the trauma and recover as reasonably as possible. The funds will also be used to cover physical rehabilitation for those injured in the violence. In parallel, and to ensure the implementation of this assistance—certain Russian Red Cross programs will be strengthened—such as the visiting nurses, who provide professional home care.
The traumatic impact of this tragedy is enormous, both in Russia and abroad. According to official figures, the hostage-taking left 336 people dead and more than 400 injured—many of them children. Some 200 people are still unaccounted for. There are still children in hospital who are too young or too traumatized to identify themselves.
The Russian Red Cross is asking for medical equipment, such as respirators and blood transfusion material, for hospitals in Beslan and Vladikavkaz, where people injured during the hostage-taking are still being treated.
International mobilization has been extraordinary, with many Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies around the world launching fund raising campaigns on behalf of the hostages and their families. “The response to the Red Cross appeal both in the country and internationally will help people to survive the tragedy,” said Russian Red Cross President Tatyana Nikolaenko. “The international solidarity that is being shown once again emphasizes the power of humanity,” she added. “As Canadians, our hearts go out to the victims of this horrific act of indescribable violence,” said Mr. John Mulvihill, Deputy Secretary General – Operations, Canadian Red Cross. “We can never even begin to understand the extreme pain felt by the thousands of people affected.
Red Cross volunteers, doctors, psychologists and visiting nurses are in Beslan in hospitals and working with families. As the hostage-taking unfolded, the RRC immediately mobilized staff and volunteers to bring food and comfort to the families of the hostages, near the school. Together with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), they helped evacuate hostages when the shooting started.
Canadians wishing to make a financial donation may donate online, call 1-800-418-1111 or contact their local Canadian Red Cross office. The 24-hour toll free line accepts Visa and MasterCard. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked "Russia North Ossetia hostage crisis" and mailed to Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2. For information on how Red Cross manages donations, please visit "How We Care For Your Donations". Donations of goods are not accepted.
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For more information or to arrange interviews, please call:
Suzanne Charest
Communications Officer
Tel: (613) 740-1928
Cel: (613) 222-6196
