AmeriCares to Aid Victims of Tropical Storm Allison

AmeriCares Foundation
Tuesday, 12 June 2001

New Canaan, CT – June 12, 2001 – AmeriCares, the international disaster relief and humanitarian aid organization, announced today that it is sending approximately 40,000 pounds of relief materials to Houston, Texas in response to Tropical Storm Allison.

AmeriCares has teamed up with the Houston branch of the Salvation Army to distribute the relief materials. This initial shipment contains pallets of cleaning supplies, cleaning compound and a truckload of items such as batteries, clothing, mop heads, blankets and sleeping pads.

Tropical Storm Allison dumped nearly 3 feet of rain on Houston, causing the worst flooding in the city in over seven years. As a result of Tropical Storm Allison, 20 people have lost their lives and thousands of others have been displaced from their homes. Speaking in Austin, Federal Emergency Management Director Joe Allbaugh said, "The loss of life is significant. Make no mistake. Folks will be impacted for not days, not weeks, but years to come."

"AmeriCares is responding with essential relief materials for the victims of this devastating storm," states Robert C. Macauley, AmeriCares Chairman. "We will work closely with the Houston Salvation Army to distribute the urgently needed aid."

Houston resident and former First Lady Barbara Bush serves as AmeriCares' Ambassador–at–Large.

For more information, or to contact AmeriCares Foundation, see their website at: www.americares.org