American Red Cross Sends Aid to Afghan Earthquake Survivors

American Red Cross
Tuesday, 26 March 2002

Earthquake Worsens Conditions - Immediate Relief Pipelines Opening

Overnight two deadly earthquakes shook northern Afghanistan; the reported 6.0 and 5.0 magnitude temblors rattled windows in Kabul and as far away as Islamabad, Pakistan. The town of Nahrin closest to the epicenter, is reported to have sustained heavy to severe damage. American Red Cross workers already in Afghanistan to oversee the distribution of 1,000 school chests will now begin assessing how best to utilize resources to help quake victims and survivors. Already, $100,000 is being mobilized from the International Response Fund for the purchase of emergency relief items.

"The conditions outside the major cities in Afghanistan is already desperate," said Francois de la Roche, Director Europe and Central Asia Region, American Red Cross. "The earthquake will complicate the distribution of basic supplies and compound the need. Our relief workers will continue to partner with agencies including the Afghan Red Crescent to ensure that assistance is reaching those who need it most."

Since October with the support of hundreds of thousands of American school children sending financial contributions to America's Fund for Afghan Children, the American Red Cross has provided more than $3 million in essential relief items to the children of Afghanistan. The most recent intervention was the distribution on March 23 of 1,000 school chests each containing basic school supplies – pencils, paper, notebooks, rulers, crayons – for 40 children. Previous assistance also included warm winter clothes for nearly 10,000 children, 10,000 children's gift parcels, equipment to provide clean water, medical supplies, tents, tarpaulins for reinforcing shelters, kitchen sets and blankets.

America's Fund for Afghan Children was launched in October by President Bush who encouraged American children to earn or raise at least a dollar for the children of Afghanistan. The American Red Cross was asked to administer and program the money. Recently, President Bush called on American children to again support the Red Cross by participating in a school chest program to collect 2,000 school chests for distribution in Afghanistan in June.

As part of the world's largest humanitarian network, the American Red Cross alleviates the suffering of victims of war, disaster and other international emergencies, and works with other Red Cross societies to improve chronic, life-threatening conditions in developing nations. We reconnect families separated by emergencies and educate the American public about international humanitarian law. This assistance is made possible through the generosity of the American public. Financial contributions can be made to the American Red Cross International Response Fund by calling 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Internet users can make a secure online credit card contribution by visiting www.redcross.org. Contributions also may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

For more information, or to contact American Red Cross, see their website at: www.redcross.org