Donations Urged as Disaster Relief Fund Dwindles

July 18, 2003 — Over recent months, the role of provider has been reversed for the American Red Cross. The organization known for rushing aid to more than 600,000 disaster victims each year is now in need of its own assistance as finances from its Disaster Relief Fund have reached a critical low.

The Disaster Relief Fund enables the Red Cross to deliver many of the organization’s critical services. It’s through the fund that those affected by disasters receive shelter, food, water and a shoulder to lean on as they regain their footing in life.

The Disaster Relief Fund allows the Red Cross to deliver critical emergency relief to thousands of disaster victims each year. You can help the Red Cross continue these crucial services by making a donation to the Disaster Relief Fund today.

The fund is not a reserve, though, and needs to be constantly replenished by donations to ensure that the Red Cross can rush disaster relief anywhere in the nation at any time.

On June 30, 2003, the Disaster Relief Fund reached its lowest point in 11 years with a cash balance of only $1.5 million.

"If you think about the Disaster Relief Fund as a tank of gas, we are literally running on fumes," said Marsha Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross.

To put the need in perspective: a safe amount in the fund is $56 million. With the most disaster-prone seasons approaching, it’s crucial the fund be rejuvenated now.

”Hurricane season has just begun and the height of wildfire season is approaching,” said Terry Sicilia, Executive Vice President of Disaster Services for the American Red Cross. “Those are both major disaster threats. Last year, the Red Cross spent $15.8 million responding to Hurricane Lili and Tropical Storm Isidore and $8.1 million on the western wildfires. Those were just a few of the high visibility disasters that people heard about. Disasters happen every day that don’t make national headlines, but the Red Cross always responds with the same urgency.”

Help Now Before It’s Too Late

Disasters can occur in any community, any time - they don’t discriminate. The Red Cross responds to these disasters each day across the United States, regardless of the community's ability to raise funds. It is through donations that the public can help ensure their neighborhoods are safer and that the Red Cross will be there to help when disasters hit home.

The American Red Cross is, at its heart, an organization made up of the public, for the public - a nationwide network of neighbor helping neighbor.

“To provide relief to disaster victims in this country, we rely on donations from the public,” said Evans. “Now, more than ever, we are relying on the American people to donate the funds that make it possible for us to help those in need."

The need to replenish this low cash balance will force the Red Cross to consider which disaster services the American Red Cross must curtail.

You can help prevent that and support the American Red Cross by making a financial donation today. To donate, call 1-800-HELP NOW, or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish).

Donations can also be mailed to your local American Red Cross chapter at American Red Cross of Central Massachusetts, 61 Harvard Street, Worcester, MA 01609 or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.

Secure online donations can be made at www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html.

Your Location: Home : About Your Chapter : Press Releases : Donations Urged as Disaster Relief Fund Dwindles