Red Cross escalates response to tsunami disaster
(Ottawa, December 29, 2004) — The Canadian Red Cross is dispatching an additional four aid workers to support the relief efforts in the countries affected by the tsunamis. Howard Arfin from Toronto and Jean-Pierre Taschereau from Ste-Marie de Beauce, Quebec, are heading to Indonesia. Dr. Sandra Allaire from Calgary is travelling to the Maldives. Iain Logan from Calgary is going to Geneva to manage the International
Red Cross relief operations for South and Southeast Asia.
Six other Canadians are already posted with the International Red Cross Movement in various countries in the region and their efforts along with those of their colleagues are focused on the response to the disaster.
The International Red Cross response is emphasizing the provision of safe water to prevent the spread of disease as well as medical, health care and basic materials such as plastic sheeting for shelters.
In an effort to help restore family links, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has launched a website www.familylinks.icrc.org where concerned persons in the disaster areas may register themselves to inform their relatives that they are well; their families can consult the list of names on the website. In the disaster areas and elsewhere in the world concerned persons may register relatives about whom they are seeking information. Canadians with inquiries concerning relatives and loved ones in the disaster affected countries can contact their local Red Cross office. Tracing requests from Canada will be accepted as soon as possible. Inquiries about Canadian citizens in the affected regions should be directed to Foreign Affairs Canada at 1-800-606-5499.
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.
In addition, Canadians may make a financial donation at the following banks:
BMO Financial Group
Canadian Western Bank
CIBC
HSBC Bank Canada
Laurentian Bank of Canada
National Bank of Canada
RBC Royal Bank
Scotiabank
TD Canada Trust
“Like all Canadians, we are shocked by the extent of this tragedy, and its impact on individuals and families in so many different countries,” says John Mulvihill, Deputy Secretary General of the Canadian Red Cross. “As needs become more defined and as they evolve with time, we will ensure that the money donated by Canadians is used to provide the greatest relief possible.”
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
Tel. (613) 740-1928
Cell. (613) 222-6196
