|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
American Red Cross
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 28, 2003
11:57 AM
|
CONTACT:
American
Red Cross
Amber Campbell, 202-639-3526, CampbellAm@usa.redcross.org
|
|
|
|
Update on Humanitarian Response from American
Red Cross
|
|
|
| WASHINGTON
- March 28 -The American Red Cross will implement emergency relief
activities in Iraq in full coordination with its partners within
the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the lead agency for the Red
Cross and Red Crescent Movement in all conflict situations, the
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
(Federation), and other National Societies.
The American
Red Cross emergency response to the current crisis in Iraq has
multiple dimensions. The aim is to support our partners to respond
quickly, flexibly, and to fullest of the Movement's capacity.
Together, the American Red Cross and its partners with the Movement
have prepared and together we are responding. These are the highlights
of the American Red Cross's contributions:
We are providing
technical expertise to the relief operations -- The American Red
Cross has positioned personnel in the region with expertise in
logistics and relief management in order to respond quickly and
effectively to the evolving needs of the people affected in Iraq
and the surrounding region. Specific activities include the determination
of needs, procurement of relief supplies, and distribution planning.
We are participating
in both the ICRC and the Federation Appeals for this relief operation
-- The American Red Cross understands that the nature of this
conflict requires an emergency response that is fast-moving, tightly
coordinated, neutral and impartial. To facilitate and support
the speed and flexibility of the Movement's response, the American
Red Cross is providing cash to support both Appeals.
We have pre-positioned
stocks and are channeling supplies to the relief operations --
The American Red Cross embraces disaster readiness as a necessary
component to a speedy and effective emergency response. To support
the rapid delivery of relief items to those most vulnerable, the
American Red Cross has pre-positioned stocks in the region including
kitchen sets, hygiene parcels, blankets, tarps, and water containers.
The American Red Cross immediately made available a portion of
these supplies -- 34,000 blankets and 30,000 water containers,
which are currently en route to the ICRC for distribution to the
most vulnerable in Iraq.
We offer our
Family Tracing Services -- In conjunction with the ICRC, the American
Red Cross will facilitate the transfer of Red Cross Messages between
individuals in Iraq and their family members in the United States.
For more
information on American Red Cross services, visit http://www.redcross.org.
For information on recent ICRC activities, visit http://www.icrc.org/eng.
For information on recent International Federation activities,
visit http://www.ifrc.org.
###
|
|
|
Common Dreams NewsCenter is a non-profit news service
providing breaking news and views for the Progressive Community.
The
press release posted here has been provided to Common Dreams NewsWire by
one of the many progressive organizations who make up America's Progressive Community.
If
you wish to comment on this press release or would like more information,
please contact the organization directly.
*all times Eastern US (GMT-5:00)
Making News?
Read our Guidelines
for Submitting News Releases
© Copyright
1997-2003 Common Dreams.
www.commondreams.org
|
|
