Australian Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal, in support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies initial appeal for approximately A$8.5 million. The appeal aims to provide assistance to some 500,000 people after the strongest earthquake in 40 years caused massive tidal waves, killing at least 11,500 people, according to local authorities, and leaving more than one million displaced and homeless. Countries affected include Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the Maldives.The number of injured is still not known. With telecommunications lines down or saturated, there is still a scarcity of information from certain countries.
The appeal aims to bring immediate support to relief operations of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies operating in the affected region.
To Donate to the Asia Quake and Tsunamis Appeal:
- Call 1800 811 700
- visit www.redcross.org.au to make a secure online donation
- send a cheque to GPO Box 9949 in your capital city
Already Red Cross teams in Sri Lanka and India have helped evacuate survivors, dispensed first aid and provided emergency relief materials, such as tents and blankets, as well as food.
The International Federation will tomorrow send medical supplies for 100,000 people into Sri Lanka, the country hardest hit by the disaster. Additionally, medicines to treat up to 2,000 possible cases of diarrheal disease will be part of the shipment.
'The biggest health challenges the global Red Cross Red Crescent Movement faces in the acute phase of an operation of this type is the spread of disease - malaria and diarrhea, and respiratory tract infections', says Dale Cleaver, Acting Secretary General of Australian Red Cross. 'The Red Cross is extremely concerned at initial reports of destruction of hospitals and other health infrastructure in Sri Lanka.'
A Field Assessment and Coordination Team will also be sent to Sri Lanka in the coming hours. Several Emergency Response Units, specialising in water and sanitation, and relief coordination, as well as field hospitals are on standby to be sent in.
'Basic needs for victims of the disaster are shelter, tents, blankets, clean water, food and family utensils and mosquito nets. An important part of the operation will also be tracing lost relatives', notes Mr Cleaver.
Appeal donations are intended for use in one or more of the following ways:
- to fund the deployment of specialist delegates to the region to assist in the Red Cross Red Crescent response
- to support the relief and rehabilitation work of our Red Cross Red Crescent partners: the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies; the International Committee of the Red Cross; or another National Red Cross Red Crescent Society, which could include the Red Cross Red Crescent Society in the affected country
- to support an Australian Red Cross program in the affected area
Australian Red Cross will not deduct more than 10% of any donation to an international appeal to cover its own costs. All donation over $2 are tax deductible.
Australian Red Cross can NOT accept donations in kind for the following reasons:
- the logistics of transporting and distributing 'in-kind' donations can often be very expensive as well as time consuming, in particular organising clearances to foreign countries and arranging transportation to remote areas
- responding to the assessed needs of the affected population is our priority. 'In-kind' donations are frequently not based on identified needs and may be inappropriate for the cultural or religious requirements of the affected population.
Australian Red Cross believes that essential relief items should be purchased locally where possible, to ensure appropriateness of the goods for the local population and to assist the local economy.
