Our relief efforts around the world.

Today the National American Red Cross announced that it will be contributing an initial $10 million to the Japanese Red Cross Society.  This money is to assist their ongoing efforts to provide medical care and relief assistance to the people of Japan that were affected by the earthquake and tsunami that devastated their country on March 11.

“We are grateful for the American public’s generosity and compassion following what has been declared one of the most devastating earthquakes in history… The American Red Cross is in a unique position to help channel that support to our partner in Japan that is playing a critical humanitarian role and comforting the survivors.”-- David Meltzer, senior vice president of international services with the American Red Cross.

If you would like to make a donation to the relief efforts, you can:

·         Visit the Red Cross online

·         Call 1-800-REDCROSS

·         Text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10.00 donation

Want to learn more about The Japanese Red Cross and what their relief effort looks like?

·         The Japanese Red Cross is a highly experienced disaster relief organization with two million volunteers nationwide.

·         Many local volunteers took immediate action following the disaster by distributing relief items, offering hot meals, clearing debris and providing medical transportation.

·         As concerns mount about damage to nuclear power plants in the north, the Japanese Red Cross is also focused on supporting the 200,000 people who have been evacuated from the exclusion zone.

·         Many of the Japanese Red Cross branch offices have trained nuclear decontamination teams and equipment, including special tents for decontamination which can be used to support a government response.

·         A specialist medical team at the Nagasaki Red Cross hospital is on standby, ready to receive patients if people become ill as a result of radiation poisoning.

o   Other hospitals in the area are monitoring radiation levels to protect the patients they are currently treating.

·         At public shelters and throughout the country, local volunteers are handing out relief items, including more than 65,000 blankets which are of great comfort to the displaced.

·         More than 100 medical teams, made up of more than 700 people, including doctors and nurses have been providing assistance in the most affected areas through mobile medical clinics.

·         Trained nurses with the Japanese Red Cross are also offering psychosocial support to traumatized survivors.

With the help of your donations, the Japanese Red Cross will be better able to meet the needs of their people.  If you would like to talk to someone more about making a donation, please contact us at 716.878.2374 and to make a donation, visit us online, call 1-800-REDCROSS or text REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10.00 donation.