Our Appeal
Information from the Canadian Red Cross (2009).
International Disaster Relief Fund
Every year – and with increasing frequency – disaster strikes hard in hundreds of locations around the world. The Red Cross’ ability to rapidly deploy much needed relief supplies and personnel during a disaster is essential in minimizing the impact of a disaster on vulnerable communities.
Right now Canadian Red Cross is responding to multiple, simultaneous, disasters. The messages of need can be overwhelming, perhaps causing you to ask: where can my donation make the most difference? Clean water, shelter, food and medicine are crucial priorities in many areas. Here’s a look at what we’re working on today:
In China, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, North Korea and Thailand, an estimated 235 million people are struggling to cope with severe flooding.
Canadian Red Cross has sent emergency supplies to Peru and we are responding on the ground following the earthquake that destroyed the homes of 35,000 families.
We are also supporting communities pummelled by Hurricanes Dean and Felix. Right now the much-needed items include shelter materials, food and hygiene supplies.
All of these disasters have struck in only the last two months, leaving millions of people – in fact, more than seven times the population of Canada – in urgent need of assistance.
The International Disaster Relief Fund allows us to respond within hours of an emergency, well before any money has been received from supporters. The fund provides an essential lifeline to people when they need our help most. It would be wrong for us to keep too much money in this fund when there are Red Cross programs which constantly need more support. However, as part of the world’s largest emergency response organization, it is vital that we have the means to fulfil our role quickly in times of need.
Though public appeals have been launched to support these disasters, they have not fully covered the needs of the affected populations. Our International Disaster Relief Fund is quickly becoming depleted and we must replenish in order to respond to the needs right now, and to be ready for the next call for help.
Canadians wishing to support the humanitarian relief efforts of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement around the world are encouraged to make a financial donation. Donations to the Canadian Red Cross IDRF will help provide the survivors of these and future disasters with urgently needed food, shelter, first aid, basic health care and medical supplies.
To find out more and to donate, please click here!
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