By USDR
The American Red Cross today committed an additional $5 million to support the global Red Cross response to Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, bringing the total to $11 million to date.
The $11 million in funding will be used to purchase and distribute relief items such as food, blankets, hygiene kits, and mosquito nets and to provide cash grants for use when markets begin functioning normally.
“The American public has been tremendous in wanting to help the people in the Philippines,” said David Meltzer, chief international officer for the American Red Cross. “Through their generosity, we can help deliver the emergency aid needed by so many people in the Philippines right now.”
In addition, six more American Red Cross specialists have deployed to the Philippines, including a shelter specialist and a five-person team to assist the global Red Cross Emergency Response Team in distributing relief supplies. They join four American Red Cross specialists on the ground working on telecommunications and disaster assessment.
The Philippine Red Cross has extensive experience in search and rescue and large-scale relief and recovery programs. The Philippine Red Cross is the largest humanitarian organization in the country and thousands of volunteers are engaged in this disaster response. Their volunteer relief teams continue to provide assistance in the hardest hit communities, including assisting in search and rescue efforts.
Specialized emergency response teams from other Red Cross societies across the globe are arriving in the Philippines to assist the Philippine Red Cross. These include teams with expertise in logistics, disaster assessment, shelter, health, water and sanitation.
The American Red Cross expects to make additional contributions to support the humanitarian response in the coming weeks. Donations received from American Red Cross and other Red Cross partners will aid the Philippines relief and recovery efforts through the Philippine Red Cross and possibly other organizations as experts on the ground determine the best way forward.
HOW TO HELP Those who want to help can go to www.redcross.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS to donate to typhoon relief. People can also mail in a donation to their local Red Cross chapter. Gifts to the American Red Cross will support disaster relief efforts to help those affected by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.
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