Red Cross Ship on Rescue Mission

Red Cross ship will rescue hundreds from siege city (Times Online, 22 Aug. '06)

"AN AID ship loaded with tonnes of food and medicine was preparing to sail to Jaffna last night as the UN said a humanitarian catastrophe was looming in the besieged Sri Lankan city. The vessel, flying the Red Cross flag, is expected to pick up hundreds of people, nearly all of them Tamils with foreign nationality, including around 60 British citizens who have been trapped for a week.

"Electricity and telephone lines in Jaffna have been cut and food prices are spiralling as the area around the city has suffered airstrikes and bombardments in the past week. Yesterday hundreds of people were queueing outside the Red Cross offices hoping for a passage on the aid ship, but only foreign passport holders and some wounded civilians were expected to be allowed to board. The vessel’s departure has been delayed by heavy monsoon rains in Colombo, but it is expected to arrive tomorrow after a 50-hour voyage.

"Jaffna is controlled by the Sri Lankan Government, but is cut off from the rest of Sri Lanka by rebel territory. The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam have closed the city’s airport with artillery strikes and effectively cut sea links with the threat of suicide speedboat attacks."

ICRC Supports Returning Families

News -- Red Cross helps returnees (Reuters.com, 21 Aug. '06)

"As thousands of people stream back to their wrecked homes in south Lebanon, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is scaling up its operation to support at least 200,000 returnees each month until the end of the year.

"The British Red Cross is actively supporting the humanitarian effort, with two logisticians delivering aid from Cyprus and one of our delegates co-ordinating relief operations in Syria with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

"We are also sending 227,000 ready-made meals to those most in need in Lebanon. As the long-awaited cease-fire holds, thousands of people are now returning home to face new difficulties including a lack of electricity, water and food. The level of destruction varies drastically but many private homes and even hospitals have been badly damaged.

"Red Cross convoys carrying food, medical supplies and fuel for generators have taken to the roads in a major effort to reach villages and towns that have been cut off from the outside world for weeks. "

A Volunteer's Inspiring Story

South county man finds inspiration as Red Cross volunteer (Nevada Appeal, 16 Aug '06)

"When Douglas County resident John McDougal first learned of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina, he took a train to San Antonio to help manage a shelter for displaced families.

"It was the start of a new chapter in his life as a volunteer with the Red Cross, and he said he wouldn't trade the experience for anything.

"I'll never give up this work. It's invigorating," he said. "Everyone needs to volunteer. Instead of sitting back and saying what should be done, volunteers are doing it."

"A small business owner and truck driver by trade, McDougal, 51, said he was one of the older volunteers and as such, was put in charge. This is a job that primarily appeals to the younger set, as most were between 21 and 30 and they were inspirational.

"They have hearts of gold and they're so full of life and energy," he said. "They will work nonstop to do what needs to be done."

"There are a variety of volunteer opportunities at the Red Cross to support all of the organization's services. People who wish to volunteer should contact their local American Red Cross chapter because many volunteer opportunities are typically found locally."

Hurricane Season (Part 2)

Red Cross prepared for storms (The Shreveport Times, 15 Aug '06)

"BATON ROUGE -- The American Red Cross learned important lessons in dealing with storms last year that the organization's state director says should be avoided if a storm hits the state again.

"During Katrina, we maxed out" with 150,000 evacuees in Red Cross shelters around the country, Victor Howell told the Press Club of Baton Rouge Monday. "That was far and away the largest number every in Red Cross Shelters" and "far and away the largest single disaster response."

"This year, he said, across the U.S. the organization has invested $80 million in pre-positioning supplies -- cots, blankets and "comfort kits" containing personal hygiene necessities -- to take care of 500,000 people. A large number of meals also are stationed at numerous points and financial assistance -- usually about $200 per family for clothing and necessities -- stands ready."

North Korean Flood Response

S. Korea Red Cross plans massive rice aid for North (Reuters, 14 Aug '06)

"SEOUL, Aug 14 (Reuters) - South Korea's Red Cross can give as much as 100,000 tonnes of rice to flood-ravaged North Korea in a one-time aid package, its president said on Monday.

"Relations between the two Koreas soured after North Korea defied international warnings and fired seven missiles on July 5. South Korea on Friday offered a one-time aid package worth $10 million to help its neighbour cope with massive floods in July.

"Three major storms hit North Kora [sic] last month, causing floods that killed at least 151 people, according to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. A pro-North Kora [sic] paper put the death toll at 549 with 295 missing."

Difficult Year for China

China has had a hard year, which means the Red Cross has been busy.

1,700 dead, 400 missing from disaster this year: Red Cross (China Daily, 11 Aug '06)

"BEIJING - Natural disasters in China this year have killed 1,699 people and left another 415 missing, the nation's Red Cross Society has said in a report carried by the Xinhua News Agency.

"The disasters have impacted on another 300 million people and led to more than 130 billion yuan (16.25 billion dollars) in economic losses, the Red Cross said Thursday, according to Xinhua.

"The Red Cross said more than five million houses and 32 million hectares (79 million acres) of farmland had been destroyed, adding its figures had been verified by the Ministry of Civil Affairs."

Red Cross and the Elderly

While all chapters of The American Red Cross provide basic emergency services, some also offer additional services. Today I'll highlight a friendly activity.

Elderly enjoy visits by Red Cross (Cayman Net News, 11 Aug '06)

"Once a week, residents of the retirement and nursing home on Cayman Brac enjoy the company of a caring group of people who understand the worth of senior citizens with so many memories to share.

"Every Tuesday from 5:00 to 6:00 pm, the Kirkconnell Community Care Center (KCCC) at Stake Bay is visited by volunteers of the Cayman Brac and Little Cayman chapter of the Cayman Islands Red Cross.

"They visit these special people to show them they care, and whether it is through reading, singing, chatting, or assisting them with activities of daily living, the KCCC residents will have the volunteers' undivided attention while they are at their home."

Devastation Continues in Lebanon

Ongoing heavy civilian toll in Lebanon ‘unacceptable’: Red Cross (Khaleej Times Online, 13 Aug '06)

"GENEVA -The International Committee of the Red Cross on Sunday slammed the ongoing heavy civilian casualties in the conflict in Lebanon as ‘unacceptable’.

"'The ICRC has repeatedly expressed its concerns about insufficient precautions taken in attacks by the parties to the armed conflict,' the agency said in a statement.

"'It is unacceptable that after more than 30 days of ongoing military operations, all necessary precautions to spare civilian life and those engaged in medical work have still not been taken,' it added."

Red Cross ship arrives in Lebanon (News.com.au, 12 Aug '06)

"A SHIP chartered by the International Committee of the Red Cross has unloaded 200 tonnes of urgent humanitarian aid in the Lebanese port of Tyre after its arrival had been delayed by Israel.

"Israel gave security clearance to the ship Giorgios K which had been anchored in the Cypriot port of Larnaca, after refused it access for the past two days, said the ICRC spokesman in Tyre, Roland Huguenin.

"The cargo included 200,000 food packages, 50 tonnes of flour, medication, petrol and fuel, said Mr Huguenin."

Dental Program

Here's a unique service provided by one Red Cross chapter:

From school to job: Red Cross Dental Program benefits community

Leesville Daily Leader, Aug. 9, '06)

"Students of the Red Cross Dental Assistant Program learn these facts and more as they study for certification as dental assistants. The program is a joint effort between DENTAC and the American Red Cross to provide training to the Fort Polk community."

Video - How to Grow Hatred

VCCP helps Red Cross highlight prisoners' poor treatment (BrandRepublic/Creative Bulletin, Aug. 2, '06)

"Abuse grows hatred" is a hard-hitting animated film that attempts to show how the violation of human rights breeds hatred within the families, communities and countries of the imprisoned.

"The film can be seen on the ICRC website www.icrc.org and will be shown on TV channels internationally."

(picture from BrandRepublic)

Target / Red Cross Collaboration

From Target and Red Cross--New kit for disaster preparation (The Charlotte Observer, Aug. 5, 2006)

"Target and the American Red Cross partnered to design an affordable emergency kit. It contains items that a family of four might appreciate during an emergency....

"The kit is $29.99, and Target will donate $10 from each purchase to the Red Cross. Kits are available at stores, and at www.Target.com.

"Kits include two flashlights with batteries, eight snap lights, a transistor radio with batteries, four survival blankets, four plastic whistles. There's an activity book for kids, and a family first aid kit."

(pictures from www.target.com and www.redcross.org)

Red Cross Evacuations in Lebanon

ICRC says Lebanese Red Cross involved in evacuating hundreds of wounded (Kuwait News Agency, Aug. 3, '06)

GENEVA, Aug 2 (KUNA) -- The Innternational [sic] Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said Wednesday night that the Lebanese Red Cross Society (LRC), which remains on high alert for the 21st consecutive day, has between July 12 and August 1 evacuated 542 wounded, transported 3493 medical cases and 153 bodies.

Hurricane Season

Tropical Storm Chris ‘a wake-up call,’ says Red Cross (Boca Raton News, Aug. 2, '06)

"Tropical Storm Chris is an opportunity for our community to remember that hurricane season is with us until November and we have just entered the height of the season," said Mary Blakeney, emergency services director.

"The American Red Cross, the National Weather Service and the Federal Emergency Management Agency urge each and every family to develop a family disaster plan."

Blood Drives

The Red Cross does not collect blood in Colorado because other organizations have historically done a great job of it. However, other areas around the nation are in low supply.

Red Cross Holds $1K Gas Card Drawing To Spur Blood Donations (KNBC 4 TV, Aug. 1, 2006)
"LOS ANGELES -- The American Red Cross is conducting a blood drive with an incentive -- a chance to win a $1,000 gift card for gasoline."

Red Cross Said Blood Supply Level Critically Low (WCSH 6 TV, Aug. 1, 2006)
"The Red Cross is asking people to roll up their sleeves and donate a pint of blood this summer. Summer is always a slow time for blood donations, but the Red Cross says this year is particularly tough."

Red Cross holds several blood drives (Daily Journal, Aug. 1, 2006)
"The urgent appeal for blood is over but the need for blood is always there, according to the American Red Cross Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region."

Red Cross blood supply is critical (The Messenger, Aug. 2, 2006)
"An American Red Cross blood drive in Troy today will help ease a critical shortage in the state's blood supply.

"The Red Cross issued an appeal on July 5 for the Alabama and Gulf Coast regions, which means the blood supply in those areas has dropped to dangerously low levels and patients who need blood may not get it."

Fund Raising Ideas

What do you love to do? How could you use that as a way to raise funds to support the community? Here are two sporting events to spark your creativity:

Red Cross hosts golf tourney at Plantation course (The Miami Herald, July 30, 2006)

"Rick Case Honda sponsored two hole-in-one contests offering a 2006 Honda Civic and a Honda ATV as prizes, and Eastern Financial Credit Union sponsored a putting contest.

"After sinking the last put, players gathered for a silent auction before sitting down to a barbecue luncheon."


Soccer Tourney Aids Red Cross (The Morning News, July 30, 2006)

"The First Security Soccer Cup was held over the weekend at Bulldog Stadium and featured a field of 20 teams from throughout Northwest Arkansas as well as the River Valley.

"All proceeds from the Cup are being donated to the Red Cross. Equally as important as the fundraiser itself is the uniting of the Latino community through their common love for the "beautiful game."

"The group set a goal of raising $3,000 and exceeded that amount by on the first day alone. Chicas said the group expected to raise close to $6,000 for the American Red Cross, making the event a win-win for not only the fund-raising aspect, but also the unity the beautiful game brings to the Latino community."

International Variety

The Red Cross offers diverse services around the world. Here are two stories that reflect the expanded mission:

Liberia: Red Cross Distributes 82 Tons of Seed Rice (allAfrica.com, July 31, 2006)

"The Liberia National Red Cross Society has completed the distribution of 82 tons of seed rice and 17,000 pieces of tools to communities in three counties.

"Meanwhile, the LNRCS has distributed assorted items valued at US$5,000 to nine orphanages in and around Monrovia.

"The United States Trading Company provided the funding for the purchase of the items, which included mattresses, used clothes, blankets and slippers."


Red Cross donates relief materials to prison inmates (The Tide Online, July 28, 2006)

"The Rivers State branch of the Nigerian Red Cross Society has stated its preparedness to continuously identify with the less privileged in the society.

"Items donated were: three bales of blankets , Jumbo detergents, mats and 147 plastic plates.

"Others are: 127 plastic cups, two bags of used clothes, two cartons of premier soap, one crate of detol, half carton of protex soap, amongst others."