Financial institutions in Canada accepting donations for Red Cross relief efforts in the Horn of Africa
(Ottawa, August 5, 2011) – The Canadian Red Cross is pleased to announce that ten financial institutions in Canada are accepting cash donations in support of Red Cross relief efforts in the Horn of Africa. It is estimated that over 12.5 million people have been affected by the drought, many fleeing their homes and are now left with limited access to food, clean water and shelter.
“Financial institutions are making it easier for Canadians to support the efforts of the Red Cross in the Horn of Africa,” says Conrad Sauvé, secretary general and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross. “We are grateful that participating financial institutions have shown leadership and been consistent in supporting the needs of the Red Cross in responding to both international and domestic crises.”
The Red Cross response to this disaster was immediate. Local volunteers have rapidly mobilized across East Africa to support the needs of vulnerable communities. These activities include assisting in emergency first aid and delivering much-needed supplies. The International Red Cross is continuing to scale up the response to the nutritional situation at their 18 feeding centres in Somalia, these measures will benefit up to 36,000 people. To date, the Canadian Red Cross has committed $1 million to support relief efforts in Kenya and Somalia. This money will be used by the Kenya Red Cross Society and the Somali Red Crescent in their efforts to help provide immediate life saving assistance and help people recover their livelihoods.
Canadians wishing to make a financial donation may give online at www.redcross.ca, call 1-800-418-1111 or visit their local Canadian Red Cross office or one of the participating financial institutions. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross and earmarked "Horn of Africa Drought". ING DIRECT is accepting donations online at www.ingdirect.ca. Canadians can also donate $5 by texting AFRICA to 30333. A one-time donation of $5 will be added to your mobile phone bill. All charges are billed by and payable to your mobile service provider.
The Government of Canada will match the donations of individual Canadians between July 6 and September 16, 2011. Those funds will go into a relief fund that is separate from the Canadian Red Cross and will be administered by the Government of Canada. Funds from the matching program will support on-going humanitarian assistance in drought-affected parts of East Africa.
The following financial institutions are accepting financial donations from August 5 to September 16, 2011:
BMO Financial Group
Canadian Western Bank
CIBC
HSBC Bank Canada
ING DIRECT
Desjardins Group
National Bank Financial Group
RBC
Scotiabank
TD Canada Trust
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 185 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.
-30-
