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Red Cross responds to Central American quake
Contact: Nicole Valentine, Coordinator of PR, (508)756-5711, Cell: 981-3931
Worcester, MA, January 14, 2001 -An earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale struck El Salvador at approximately 12:33 pm EST on Saturday, January 13, 2001. The earthquake was felt throughout the region, causing damage in El Salvador, Guatemala and Nicaragua. American Red Cross, Hurricane Mitch Project workers are on the scene helping local Red Cross Societies in their relief efforts. Preliminary reports indicate damage in El Salvador with main roads blocked and buildings collapsed. Within hours of the earthquake, there were hundreds of confirmed deaths and over one thousand people reported missing. Phone communication and power is down throughout the country. In Guatemala, reports indicate power losses, confirmed deaths and injuries.
Current American Red Cross response includes:
- Deploying four International Response Team members to El Salvador, experts in disaster relief response. The International Disaster Response Unit continues to be in constant communication with Red Cross workers on the scene who are providing disaster relief supplies already warehoused in the region. Supplies include blankets, water cans, hygiene kits and plastic sheeting, along with first aid and health services.
- Providing financial assistance through the American Red Cross International Response Fund.
International Disaster Welfare Inquires:
In the aftermath of the earthquake, the Salvadoran, Guatemalan and Nicaraguan Red Cross has been fully engaged in emergency relief operations and has not indicated its capacity to accept International Disaster Welfare Inquiries. When the Salvadoran Red Cross is able to process disaster welfare inquiries, the American Red Cross will be notified and local chapters will begin assisting concerned relatives in their communities with International Disaster Welfare Inquiries.
- For inquiries about relatives living in El Salvador, Guatemala or Nicaragua who are foreign nationals or citizens of these countries, individuals are encouraged to keep calling or to try contacting family members who live nearby.
- Individuals with inquiries concerning U.S. citizens should contact the U.S. Department of State, at (202) 647-5225.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. To help the victims of this and other disasters, contributions can be made to the American Red Cross International Response Fund by calling 1-800-HELP-NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Internet users can make a secure online credit card contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.
Contributions to the International Response Fund may also be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter, The American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts, P.O. Box 865, Worcester, MA 01613.
IN-KIND DONATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
The American Red Cross does not solicit or accept small, individual donations or collections of items for emergency relief purposes. Small items such as food, clothing and shoes many times must be cleaned, sorted, and repackaged, which impedes the resources of money, time and personnel. As a result of the disaster preparation efforts in Central America following Hurricane Mitch, many bulk relief items are already positioned in El Salvador and surrounding countries to be used if needed. Therefore, sizable, corporate in-kind donations of bulk shipments are not being solicited or accepted at this time.
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