American Red Cross-Greater Toledo Area Chapter has provided the following information about the status of disaster relief and other information related to the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami.

The Japanese Red Cross is a highly-experienced disaster relief organization. In the first 24 hours, the it dispatched 62 response teams to provide assistance in affected areas through mobile medical clinics, as well as assessing the damage and needs of the communities affected.

They are also distributing relief supplies such as blankets and hygiene kits and providing support to evacuation centers set up by the Japanese Government in community locations. Those who want to help can go to www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. People can also donate $10 by texting REDCROSS to 90999 to support our disaster relief efforts in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

INTERNATIONAL

• At this time, the full impact of this highly-destructive earthquake and resulting tsunami is not yet clear. The American Red Cross stands ready to assist the Japanese Red Cross in its role providing first aid and relief items to those displaced.
• The American Red Cross is working with the Japanese Red Cross to assess their needs and see how we can help. Officials from the Japanese Red Cross have indicated they would be grateful for donations from the American Red Cross to support their earthquake and tsunami response. The American Red Cross aided the Japanese during the Kobe earthquake in 1995, and they, in turn, sent us help during 911 and Katrina.
• In the first 24 hours, the Japanese Red Cross dispatched 62 response teams. These medical relief teams – made up of about 400 doctors, nurses and support staff – are already providing assistance in affected areas through mobile medical clinics, as well as assessing the damage and needs of the communities affected.
• More than 300,000 people who were evacuated before the tsunami struck have been housed in temporary centers set up in schools and public buildings where the Red Cross has distributed upwards of 30,000 blankets so far.
• To help people find their relatives, a family link web site has been launched by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). That link can be found here.
• The damage caused to the Fukushima nuclear power plant has resulted in serious concerns. The Japanese Red Cross Society remains prepared to support those evacuated from the exclusion zone, and continues to closely monitor the situation.

DOMESTIC

• Fortunately, the tsunami did not affect other countries across the Pacific region as badly as originally feared. We believe the early warning systems worked extremely well and encourage everyone to use this averted crisis as an opportunity to continue to improve their personal and community preparedness.
• Red Cross chapters in California, Oregon and Washington opened evacuation centers supporting more than 2,500 people seeking refuge from the tsunami waves. Warehouses and mobile feeding vehicles remain on alert in case they are needed.
• Red Cross chapters continue to stand ready to help anyone dislocated by the tsunami including those people who have lost their homes or livelihoods.
• In the days ahead, the Red Cross will continue to work with state and federal response partners to further refine and assess our response plans so that we’re ready for the next tsunami.
• The Red Cross is also responding to other disasters across the country including flooding in Kentucky, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia; and wildfires in Colorado, Oklahoma and Texas.
• The Red Cross is feeding sandbaggers in Fargo, North Dakota in support of flood mitigation efforts. And on Friday night, more than 300 people stayed in Red Cross shelters seeking shelter from a blizzard.
• In Louisiana, the Red Cross has served more than 2,300 meals and snacks to residents recovering from last week’s tornadoes.

DISASTER FUNDRAISING

• Those who want to help can go to www.redcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. Gifts to the American Red Cross will support our disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific. On those rare occasions when donations exceed American Red Cross expenses for a specific crisis, contributions are used to prepare for and service victims of other crises.
• People can make a $10 donation by texting REDCROSS to 90999. Their donation will go to support relief efforts for the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

LOCATING FAMILY/FRIENDS

International

• The best way to contact or locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Japan is to contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or (202) 647-5225.
• The International Committee of the Red Cross has launched a special Family Links website to help people seeking to re-establish contact with family members and friends.
• People in Japan and other countries in the Pacific can register here to inform their family and friends that they are safe and provide their current contact details.
• People in the US looking for loved ones can check the list for information. They can also register the names of family members and friends, encouraging them to get in touch.

BLOOD

• The American Red Cross is prepared to respond to any domestic or Japanese request for blood as a result of the earthquake in Japan and the Pacific Tsunami.
• The American Red Cross will ship blood products outside of the United States (adhering to appropriate regulatory guidelines), following a specific request from the Japanese government or the Japanese Red Cross.
• To date, the American Red Cross has not received any requests for blood from the Japanese Red Cross, the Japanese government or the U.S. State Department.
• At this time, we are not collecting blood from individuals in America to go to Japan and we do not anticipate the need for a general blood donor appeal to support our preparedness efforts.
• Should the need arise, the American Red Cross will do everything it can to assist Japan with their request.
• As always, blood donors in the United States are encouraged to call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit us online at redcrossblood.org to make an appointment to give blood.
• Your blood donation will become part of the nation’s blood supply and will help ensure that we are prepared for any blood needs that arise here at home or wherever blood is needed.

SAF

• The military has reported that all their personnel are accounted for, and all Red Cross staff on military bases are fine. As is the normal practice for a disaster, Red Cross station managers are in the military Emergency Operations Centers for their respective installations and assisting as needed.
• In Yokota, Japan, Red Cross SAF staff assisted with evacuating non-essential personnel and some airline passengers who were diverted to Yokota. The two flights have departed and the shelter has closed. All Red Cross volunteers have been released.
• We provided sheltering and mass care to more than 570 passengers and about 100 workers. We distributed meals, comfort kits, refreshments, counseling and access to world wide phones, and helped people register on Safe and Well.

Tags: Disaster relief, Japan, Red Cross

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 12th, 2011 at 4:16 pm and is filed under Community, Disaster relief.
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