Canadian Red Cross appeals for cash donations for earthquake and tidal wave relief in South East Asia
(Ottawa, December 26, 2004) — The Canadian Red Cross is appealing for cash donations to support relief efforts following this morning’s devastating earthquake and tidal wave in South East Asia.
The Canadian Red Cross is also announcing an initial $200,000 contribution to the relief efforts of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.
Measuring 8.9 on the Richter scale, the earthquake caused giant tidal waves and flash floods across southern Asia, potentially leaving thousands of people dead and many thousands more affected.
The earthquake, which struck at 7:59 a.m. local time, caused a ten-metre-high wall of water to sweep into Indonesia, the Maldives, over the coasts of Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. More than 4500 people are feared dead.
The Canadian Red Cross is encouraging Canadians to help the victims of this disaster by making a cash donation. Funds raised will help the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and local Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to provide immediate relief and basic assistance such as tents, blankets, water purification tablets and generators to the tens of thousands of affected people by this tidal wave and earthquake. The International Federation is also sending an assessment mission in the region.
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 "South East Asia Earthquake and Tidal Wave Relief" 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.
The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 181 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.
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For more information:
Suzanne Charest
Canadian Red Cross
Cell. (613) 222-6196
