Red Cross responds to London blasts
WHAT HAPPENED?
British Home Secretary Charles Clarke has confirmed four blasts took place:
- Between Aldgate East and Liverpool Street subway stations.
- Between Russell Square and King's Cross subway stations.
- At Edgware Road subway station.
- On a bus at Tavistock Square.
Police in London say at more than 50 people were killed in a series of near-simultaneous explosions on three subway cars and one bus during Thursday morning's rush hour.
Hospitals in the city say there may be more than 300 injured.
WHAT IS RED CROSS DOING?
British Red Cross responded immediately, deploying a total of 10 ambulances to assist the emergency services (an additional 14 ambulances are on standby if needed). This is part of a pre-planned role the Red Cross has to assist the emergency services in the event of a major incident.
Red Cross volunteers were also immediately on the scene to treat those suffering from injuries and shock.
WHAT IS THE CANADIAN RED CROSS DOING?
Canadian Red Cross Secretary-General Pierre Duplessis has written to his counterpart with the British Red Cross offering our condolences and support as required. At this time, no request for action by the Canadian Red Cross has been requested.
I AM SEEKING A FAMILY MEMBER/FRIEND:
- The Department of Foreign Affairs has set up a hotline for Canadians with strong reasons to believe their relatives might have been travelling in London transit this morning. They should have on hand the missing person's full name, date of birth and passport number if possible before calling the toll-free hotline at 1-800-387-3124.
- Phone lines to London will likely be busy when they try to call their loved ones. Once the overload on the phone system subsides, it will be easier to call and to receive calls from the United Kingdom.
CAN I DONATE TO THE DISASTER?
The Canadian Red Cross is accepting donations for the London Bombings Relief Fund. The money raised will be held in a trust and used to assist the victims of the attack, their immediate families and partners in a variety of ways.
HOW WILL THE MONEY BE USED?
They may be used to relieve sickness and disability, physical or mental, caused by the attack or to relieve financial needs. The money may also be used to support other appropriate projects that the funds allow. The funds will be distributed by the Trustees of the London Bombings Relief Trust, who will be appointed by the Greater London Authority.
Statement by Dr. Pierre Duplessis, Secretary General of The Canadian Red Cross Society
On the London Bombings and Emergency Preparedness
July 12, 2005
“All Canadians were shocked and saddened by the loss of innocent lives last Thursday as a result of the bombings in the London transit system. On the morning of the bombings, I conveyed my sympathies to the Secretary General of the British Red Cross, Sir Nicholas Young and offered the assistance of the Canadian Red Cross with any tracing requests related to the missing. More»
Facing Fear Program
Facing FearTM was developed to complement the Expect the UnexpectedTM program. Its goal is to help young people aged from 5 to 16 be prepared for disasters and deal with the aftermath of terrorism and tragic events. The Canadian Red Cross Facing FearTM curriculum contains lesson plans as well as activity sheets designed to help students and their families prepare for difficult situations and equip them with tools to sort out their feelings and their fears. You will find activities on managing emotions during tragic events, on the medias' role in developing the perception of facts versus opinions, and on international humanitarian law.
