The Canadian Red Cross responds to Toronto Star story on tsunami response
The Canadian Red Cross responded today to what it considers to be a misleading and inaccurate story in the Toronto Star regarding Red Cross recovery efforts in tsunami-ravaged areas of south Asia.
“The Canadian Red Cross is disappointed by the simplified, and in some cases, inaccurate information provided within this Toronto Star report,” says Bekele Geleta, general manager of international operations for the Canadian Red Cross. “We take very seriously the trust Canadians placed in us following this devastating disaster and we assure all donors that we continue to turn their donations into tangible help in the affected areas.”
“We are committed to transparency and accountability in the management of all donations and we strive at all times to present accurate facts regarding our relief and long-term recovery efforts for this disaster,” says Geleta.
The Canadian Red Cross categorically refutes the claims that fundraising efforts continued for a year following the tsunami. The Canadian Red Cross was extremely vigilant in quickly assessing the needs of those affected in order to ensure that fundraising was halted at the right time.
“The Canadian Red Cross determined at the end of January 2005, that we had sufficient funds to carry out relief and recovery efforts and we communicated that widely at that time through every means available to us, including the media.”
The statement made by an unnamed source that the Canadian Red Cross was thrust onto the international stage is entirely untrue.
“One of the key strengths of the Canadian Red Cross in our international response and recovery efforts is the fact that we have a strong presence in almost every country in the world through a wide network of Red Cross and Crescent Societies,” said Geleta.
The Red Cross Movement, with support from the Canadian Red Cross, has been playing a vital role on the international stage in disaster relief and recovery for more than 140 years.
“This network, along with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, means that the Red Cross is there, before disaster strikes and long after,” said Geleta.
The Canadian Red Cross wishes to emphasize strongly that the money generously donated by Canadians is absolutely being spent responsibly, effectively and with the needs and wishes of survivors central to everything we do. Any interest earned on the tsunami fund is being directed towards the needs of survivors.
Many of the projects being carried out by the Canadian Red Cross, including housing reconstruction, micro credit programs and creation of livelihoods will take from two to seven years to complete.
“Although the money for these projects will not be spent as quickly as funds dedicated to immediate relief, it’s crucial to understand that the money is being spent in a way that will ensure projects are carried out effectively.”
The Canadian Red Cross is committed to leaving communities safer and stronger than they were before the tsunami.
Over the past three years, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has been assisting more than 3.9 million people to rebuild their lives and communities in tsunami-affected areas. The Canadian Red Cross is directly managing successful relief and recovery projects in Sri Lanka, Indonesia, the Maldives and India.
“We expect that full recovery will take at least five years,” says Geleta. “We also know that when it comes to reconstruction of homes, infrastructure and the redevelopment of livelihoods it is more important to do it right than to cut corners in order to do it fast.”
The Red Cross is committed to remaining in the tsunami-affected areas until recovery efforts have been completed. For more information regarding Red Cross relief and recovery efforts in south Asia, visit www.redcross.ca.
