As I write this, many lives have been lost and hundreds of thousands of people driven out of their homes by flooding in the Philippines and Vietnam in the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Ketsana. In addition, an 8.0 magnitude earthquake, and the resulting tsunami in Samoa, Tonga and American Samoa, destroyed entire villages and tore more lives apart. Two other massive earthquakes rattled Indonesia less than 24 hours apart, trapping thousands in their homes.
The American Red Cross, as a member of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, has been called on to help these communities in distress around the globe.
We’re one Red Cross, one compassionate community of people who care about our neighbors in need, whether they’re hurting down the street or on the other side of the world.
Can you help these disaster victims now by making a donation? Families need immediate support such as food, blankets, shelter and clean drinking water to stay healthy and recover.
http://american.redcross.org/site/R?i=-koiaHzsnVIFMcV5BNXEOQ..
- Typhoon Ketsana dropped a foot and a half of rain in just six hours in Manila, Philippines impacting 1.9 million people.
In Vietnam, in addition to precious lives lost, waters drowned cattle, flattened homes and destroyed thousands of acres of rice fields.
Up to 20 foot high tsunami waves came ashore on American Samoa after the earthquake in the South Pacific.
Two deadly earthquakes a day apart struck Indonesia, leaving thousands dead and even more homeless.
In response to these disasters, a network of thousands of Red Cross volunteers have mobilized to evacuate communities, carry out needs assessments and provide food, water, trained personnel and other relief assistance to the people affected by these disasters.
The American Red Cross is working with its Red Cross colleagues around the world to monitor the situation as the needs emerge and additional typhoons threaten.
Can you pitch in what you can now to help support our disaster relief work? You can choose the Disaster Relief Fund to support relief efforts in American Samoa or the International Response Fund to help in the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia.
http://american.redcross.org/site/R?i=MfSLEOuSskrFBPpcDSe1XQ..
Our work is possible only because of the compassion and generosity of people like you. Thank you so much for your support. A gift of any size will mean the most to our global neighbors in such dire need now.
Sincerely,
David Meltzer
Senior Vice President
American Red Cross International Services
P.S. As these situations evolve, we will update you on the crucial relief work that donations like yours are helping provide. Also check RedCross.org for up-to-date information on these disasters.
