As flood waters continue to wreak havoc on communities across Pakistan, the American Red Cross has increased its support to help families who have lost their homes and jobs and have little access to clean water and food. In addition to financial support, the American Red Cross has sent many relief supplies including tarps, sleeping mats, buckets and water containers.
“The need for increased support could not be more urgent, given that more than 10 million people in Pakistan are in need of humanitarian relief,” said David Meltzer, senior vice president of international services for the American Red Cross. “Given this dire need, we are using reserve funds in addition to donations received for Pakistan to get more aid into Pakistan more quickly.”
As of September 2, 2010, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and their partners have:
• Reached 66,969 families (468,643 people) with food items
• Reached 28,404 families (198,828 people) with relief supplies such as blankets, mosquito nets, kitchen sets and hygiene sets.
• Distributed tents and tarpaulins to more than 173,600 families to date
• Provided emergency health assistance to more than 81,500 people
• Provided over 4.2 million patient consultations in flood affected areas
• Supported vaccinations for measles, polio, tetanus and tuberculosis in flood-affected districts across the country.
The global Red Cross and Red Crescent network is also increasing its response, with an increased appeal to help more than 900,000 people for 18 months. Seven Red Cross Emergency Response Units for relief, logistics, water and sanitation, and health are being deployed to support the ongoing relief efforts.
You can help people affected by disasters, like the floods in Pakistan, as well as countless crises at home and around the world, by making a donation to support American Red Cross International Response Fund online at http://www.redcrossillinois.org/central-illinois-red-cross-donations or by mailing your donation to the American Red Cross Central Illinois Chapter, 311 W. John Gwynn Jr. Ave. Peoria, IL 61605. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance in response to disasters.
