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FROM THE FIELD

Irish Red Cross responds to Samoa tsunami & Asia disasters
01 Oct 2009 10:35:08 GMT
 Source: Irish Red Cross - Ireland (Crois Dhearg na hÉireann)
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Background

•  Sumatra quake Sept 2009

•  Indonesia earthquakes

•  Pacific tsunami 2009

•  West Java quake Sept 09

•  Disaster risk reduction

MORE >>
The tsunami and earthquake are just one of four deadly disasters currently sweeping across the Asia Pacific region, according to Irish Red Cross Secretary General, John Roycroft.

“Tragically, thousands of families in the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and both Samoa and American Samoa have lost their homes, jobs and in hundreds of cases family members. We can help if people here in Ireland wish to donate to the global emergency appeal launched by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies,” said John Roycroft.

Local Red Cross volunteers in all of these countries are working to alleviate the worst effects of the disaster. This operation will cost in excess of half a million Euro (585.470 EUR), according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent which is appealing for aid.

The Irish Red Cross is also very deeply concerned about an ongoing crisis in Africa, where a devastating drought in the eastern region is having a disastrous impact on people in Kenya Many parents now fear their children may be just days away from starving to death and an estimated 3.8 million people require urgent humanitarian food assistance. The Irish Red Cross is also accepting donations to its “East and Horn of Africa” appeal.

How you can help

Donate Online or by calling 1850 50 70 70.
Cheque and postal orders should be marked for the relevant appeal and made payable to:
Irish Red Cross,
16 Merrion Square,
Dublin 2.
Ends

Notes for Editors

John Roycroft, Secretary General of the Irish Red Cross is available for interview. Contact Aoife MacEoin. 087 – 998 3788.

Additional background is available below and from the website of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, www.ifrc.org

Background

The Asia Pacific region is tragically living up to its reputation as one of the most disaster-prone regions of the world with four near-simultaneous disasters:

  1. Philippines & Viet Nam – devastation from Typhoon Ketsana and torrential rains.

  2. In the Philippines Red Cross volunteers are involved in search and rescue operations, delivering food and other relief items to survivors, psychosocial support to traumatized families and first aid to the sick and injured.

  3. In Viet Nam Red Cross staff and volunteers continue to manage shelters and provide emergency relief to affected families.

  4. Samoa and American Samoa - a strong earthquake followed by a tsunami. Red Cross volunteers are distributing clean water, first aid supplies, tarpaulins and other relief to affected families in Samoa and assistance with evacuation.

  5. Indonesia - , a 7.9 earthquake was recorded on Wednesday 30 September, off the West coast of Indonesia, about 50 kilometres from Padang, the capital of West Sumatra. Buildings were damaged but there are no reports of deaths or injuries, so far.

  6. India, Thailand and Malaysia - tsunami watch was immediately issued

These disasters have taken the lives of hundreds of people across the region, sowed devastation, chaos and economic hardship, and are severely testing the mettle and disaster preparedness of both governments and local volunteers and emergency experts.

Thanks to early warning systems, threatened populations were evacuated ahead of the Typhoon and the tsunami; shelters were set up, pre-positioned relief stocks distributed as well as water and food.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent has released contingency funds totaling over half a million Euro to support this operation in the Philippines, Viet Nam and Samoa). Other appeals may be issued as assessments arrive and relief and recovery needs are better understood.

Follow our twitter stream from the disaster zone here:www.twitter.com/federation


[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

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Topics

•  Disaster risk reduction

•  Earthquakes

MORE >>

Emergencies

•  Indian Ocean tsunami

•  Java earthquake 2006

•  Indonesia earthquakes

•  Typhoon Ketsana

•  Pacific tsunami 2009

•  West Java quake Sept 09

MORE >>

Members

•  Irish Red Cross - Ireland (Crois Dhearg na hÉireann)

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[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]

Background information

Briefings
Indian Ocean tsunami - [Who works where]
Java earthquake 2006 - [Who works where]
Indonesia earthquakes - [Who works where]
Typhoon Ketsana - [Who works where]
Pacific tsunami 2009 - [Who works where]
West Java quake Sept 09 - [Who works where]

Topics
Disaster risk reduction Earthquakes
Facts & figures
Philippines Indonesia Vietnam Malaysia India Thailand Kenya
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Tourists sit in a vehicle as they ride through floodwaters caused by Typhoon Ketsana in Siem Reap, 320 km (199 miles) northwest of Phnom Penh, October 1, 2009. Vietnam and Cambodia ...


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Last updated:Thu Oct 1 11:18:56 2009