In less than 90 days, the American Red Cross has already spent $111 million (more than one-fourth of the total raised) to meet the most urgent needs of earthquake survivors. The American Red Cross will continue to support hundreds of thousands of additional survivors in the next three to five years by investing in shelter, water, sanitation, livelihoods, disaster preparedness and health programs.

Progress Made

In the past twelve weeks, the global Red Cross network has collectively:
• Handed out tarps, tents and toolkits for nearly 373,000 people.
• Provided relief items for 400,000 people.
• Distributed 60 million liters of clean drinking water.
• Built more than 1,300 latrines.
• Helped vaccinate more than 152,000 people against deadly diseases.
• Coordinated the shipment of more than 2,100 units of blood to medical facilities.
• Treated more than 86,000 people at Red Cross hospitals or mobile clinics.
• Registered more than 28,400 people with missing loved ones on its family linking Web site.
• Deployed more than 900 responders to Haiti, including 165 representing the American Red Cross.
Working Through the Haitian Red Cross
The approach used by the American Red Cross in responding to international disasters is different from the response to disasters that occur in the U.S. Rather than send in large numbers of American Red Cross volunteers who may not speak the language or know the culture, the American Red Cross instead works through that nation’s Red Cross or Red Crescent society. In this disaster, the American Red Cross and the Red Cross network are working with the Haitian Red Cross to deliver relief supplies through the network of 10,000 Haitian volunteers.

Relief and Recovery Plans

Since the earthquake, the American Red Cross has raised more than $409 million for the Haiti relief and recovery efforts. To date, it has spent approximately $111 million, with about 50 percent of the money spent on emergency relief, such as food and relief supplies; 39 percent for shelter; 5 percent for livelihood development through activities such as cash assistance; 5 percent for water and sanitation; and 1 percent for health.
Of the more than $400 million raised to date, the American Red Cross expects to spend approximately $200 million to meet the survivors’ immediate needs — mostly in the first 12 months following the earthquake. The remainder of the funds raised will be allocated for long-term recovery.
During the next three to five years, the American Red Cross expects to apply:
• 39 percent of the total funds raised for shelter;
• 18 percent for emergency relief;
• 17 percent for water and sanitation projects;
• 16 percent for helping families rebuild their lives through grants, loans and other financial assistance;
• Other spending areas in the multi-year plan include helping communities prepare for future disasters such as floods, hurricanes and earthquakes and strengthening health programs.
The allocations in the American Red Cross plan likely will shift somewhat in the years ahead in order to be responsive to the fluid situation in Haiti and the evolving needs of the Haitian people

Shelter is a Priority Now and in the Months and Years Ahead

In one of the fastest shelter-relief operations in recent years, the Red Cross and other humanitarian agencies provided emergency shelter supplies to nearly 1.1 million people—90 percent of the 1.3 million homeless— as of April 5. Efforts are on track to get emergency shelter supplies to the remaining families in need by May 1. Of the total 1.3 million homeless, the Red Cross network is responsible for providing tarps, tents and tool kits to 400,000 people in Port-au-Prince, Leogane, Carrefour and Jacmel, and so far has reached 93 percent of that group.

Today, Red Cross volunteers in Atlanta are helping to assemble emergency shelter kits to benefit 50,000 Haitian families in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International. The emergency shelter kits are funded by a $3.8 million grant from the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross network in Haiti is working toward providing enclosed, transitional shelters for 250,000 people currently living in settlements at risk for catastrophic flooding. These shelters are safe and robust and can be moved or extended by families where space and resources allow. An initial shipment of building supplies for 1,000 shelters has already arrived in Haiti, and enough materials for an additional 5,000 shelters will be delivered in coming weeks. Together, these first shelters will house up to 30,000 people.

However, the Red Cross and other groups cannot build large numbers of transitional shelters without access to land. In most cases, the Red Cross must wait for the Haitian authorities to identify, approve and prepare the land before construction can begin.

To learn more and read the complete three-month progress report, please visit redcross.org/haiti.

You can help the victims of countless crises, like the recent earthquake in Haiti, around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org.

To assist evacuees in the affected areas — which includes Riverwood Ranch, Alpine Village, Zachaou Canyon, Haines Canyon and Blanchard Canyon — the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles has opened a shelter in Sunland Park:

View Red Cross LA Shelter map in a larger map

The American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles has provided the following safety tips on what to do if you are at risk of potential flooding and mudslides:

Know What to Expect
Know your area’s flood risk. If it has been raining hard for several hours, or steadily raining for several days, be alert to the possibility of a flood and listen to local radio or TV stations for flood information.

Floods Can Take Several Hours to Days to Develop

• A flood WATCH means a flood is possible in your area.
• A flood WARNING means flooding is already occurring or will occur soon in your area.

Assemble a Disaster Supplies Kit Containing

• First aid kit and essential medications.
• Canned food and can opener.
• At least three gallons of water per person
• Protective clothing, rainwear, and bedding or sleeping bags.
• Battery-powered radio, flashlight, and extra batteries.
• Special items for infants, elderly, or disabled family members.
• Identify where you could go if told to evacuate. Choose several places . . . a friend’s home in another town, a motel, or a shelter.

When a Flash Flood WARNING Is Issued

• Or if you think it has already started, evacuate immediately. You may have only seconds to escape. Act quickly!
• Move to higher ground away from rivers, streams, creeks, and storm drains. Do not drive around barricades . . . they are there for your safety.
• If your car stalls in rapidly rising waters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.

Be alert of mudslide danger
Landslides and mudslides are typically associated with periods of heavy rainfall. In areas burned by forest and brush fires, a lower threshold of precipitation may initiate landslides.

• If your area has a history of mudslides, stay alert. Many fatalities occur when people are sleeping. Listen to local radio for warnings of intense rainfall.
• If you are in areas susceptible to landslides and debris flows, consider leaving if it is safe to do so.
• Listen for any unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as trees cracking or boulders knocking together.
• If you are near a stream or channel, be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow and for a change from clear to muddy water.
• Be especially alert when driving.

The Red Cross logo flashed across the Staples Center scoreboard.

Over the years, the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Lakers have had a long standing partnership.  In response to last year’s wildfires they donated $100,000 to the Disaster Relief Fund. This year the Lakers invited the Los Angeles, Orange County, Long Beach, San Diego and Inland Empire chapters to attend seven pre-season games. Twenty-five volunteers attended each game and helped man a Red Cross information booth.  Donations to the Red Cross were also accepted.

During the half-time show at each game a twenty second announcement was made encouraging fans to donate, volunteer or learn more about the American Red Cross. The Red Cross logo also flashed across the scoreboards highlighting the volunteers presence at the games.

“Having Red Cross presence at the Lakers pre-season games was a benefit to the Los Angeles community—we were able to distribute thousands of disaster preparedness materials to fans, increase awareness and even raise money to support the Los Angeles chapter, which in turn goes directly to programs for Angelenos. And, it was a fun volunteer experience!”, said Farrah Azizi, annual fund coordinator and volunteer, American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles.

For further information on how to donate or volunteer for the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles visit www.RedCrossLA.org.

October 5 -

People planning to get the seasonal flu vaccine should do it now. Then, get the H1N1 flu vaccine when it becomes available.  The H1N1 and seasonal flu viruses are different, people will need to get separate vaccinations for each flu strain. Those who are at the highest risk of getting seriously ill — pregnant women, children, young adults and people with chronic lung disease, heart disease or diabetes — should be among the first to get vaccinated against the H1N1 flu virus, health officials have said.
 
Simple steps that you can take to minimize the spread of the flu are:

• Wash hands often with soap and water, especially after coughs or sneezes. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are also effective when soap and water aren’t available.
• Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread that way.
• Cover the nose and mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing. Throw the tissue in the trash after use.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Finally, if feeling sick, stay home. Avoid contact with other people as much as possible to keep from spreading your illness to others. Flu-like symptoms include fever, coughing, body aches, runny nose, sore throat, nausea, or vomiting or diarrhea. Seek medical attention of symptoms worsen or persist.

Visit the Red Cross Web site, http://www.redcross.org/pandemicflu, for more information about the H1N1 flu virus and its possible effects, or check what the CDC, http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/, has to say. Both sites contain important up-to-date information on the H1N1 situation and what people should, and shouldn’t do during this unusual flu season.

Throughout the evening and into Saturday night, Red Cross water search and rescue teams worked to save people stranded on rooftops and high walls. Using rubber and aluminum boats, the 21 specially trained teams brought more than 400 people to Red Cross evacuation centers in Manila and Benguet.

A total of 130 centers were opened within hours, giving refuge to nearly 75,000 people. Here, they were provided with hot meals, blankets and comfort after flash floods suddenly inundated their homes and neighborhoods.

The flooding, caused by a combination of Typhoon Ketsana and annual monsoon rains, caught most by surprise. While the typhoon was anticipated and citizens braced for it, many were surprised by its intensity as compared with other previous typhoons.

A monsoon month’s rainfall in six hours

Within only six hours, a staggering 14 to 22 inches of rain fell on the area, an amount equivalent to a typical month’s rainfall in the monsoon season.

More than 100 people are reported dead, towns east of Manila were submerged and there were reports of landslides in other parts of Luzon. Electricity in large parts of Manila either went down or was cut off for safety reasons. The airport was closed for hours, leaving hundreds of stranded passengers inside.

The government declared a state of calamity for Manila and 25 other provinces in Luzon.

The PNRC dispatched the search and rescue teams late Saturday afternoon, and mobilized hundreds of volunteers to assist stranded families fleeing the rising waters. The teams, evacuation centers and the Red Cross operational centre worked throughout the weekend to save lives.

As of Sunday morning the typhoon had passed, but the rescue work continued, since 80 percent of Manila was still under water and more rain has been forecast. Today, there are still thousands of people in the evacuation centers, and the Red Cross is dispatching assessment teams to affected communities.

Vietnam bracing for typhoon’s landfall

October 2, 2009 —As Southeast Asia and the South Pacific islands grapple with devastating earthquakes, a typhoon and a tsunami, the American Red Cross is helping to provide relief as part of the global Red Cross relief network.

The tsunami that hit American Samoa, Samoa and Tonga on September 30 destroyed villages and displaced thousands of residents, and the Red Cross is responding.

In American Samoa, the American Red Cross branch on the island is leading the response, focusing on providing food, water and needed supplies. The American Red Cross has a warehouse on the island with stocks of cots, flashlights, cooking supplies and clean-up supplies, and will be sending in additional supplies as flights become available. A leadership team of about 70 volunteers is also on its way to the island to supplement the local Red Cross workforce.

In the sovereign nations of Samoa and Tonga, their respective Red Cross societies are running relief efforts to provide assistance to affected residents, including operating five camps for now homeless families.

The American Red Cross is working with other Red Cross organizations in the other disasters that have hit the Asia Pacific area in recent days.

“We’re working closely with the countries that have been hit by these terrible disasters to make sure they have the resources they need—most importantly, clean water, food and shelter,” said David Meltzer, senior vice president of International Services at the American Red Cross.

In Indonesia, two devastating earthquakes 24 hours apart have left nearly 1,000 dead and many others trapped. The Indonesian Red Cross has dispatched hundreds of volunteers to the quake zone to offer first aid services, shelter and other assistance for those in need and is moving thousands of relief supplies to Padang.

The American Red Cross is providing an initial $100,000 from the International Response Fund to support the Indonesian Red Cross and stands ready to provide additional support, should it be requested. The American Red Cross is also sending three staff members, already working in Indonesia, to the quake zone.

Last week’s Typhoon Ketsana wreaked havoc across the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, causing record-level floods, destroying houses and taking lives. In addition to the thousands of local Red Cross volunteers and employees who are providing emergency relief in their countries, the American Red Cross is contributing an initial $100,000 worth of supplies — including mosquito nets, jerry cans and blankets — to the Philippines from the Red Cross warehouse in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. An additional $50,000 cash is going to Vietnam to support their relief efforts.

The American Red Cross is also sending a shelter specialist to the Philippines, and in preparation for an unrelated storm, Typhoon Parma, which is on track to hit the Philippines, the organization is sending a leadership team to Saipan to supplement the local chapter. Additional volunteers and supplies will be sent as needed.

How to Help
The American Red Cross honors donor intent. Please indicate at the time of the donation, which disaster you intend to support. General donations to each of the funds listed below are also accepted and preferred.

INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE FUND
You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year, crises like the recent earthquakes in Indonesia and the flooding and typhoons in the Philippines and Vietnam, by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster please do so at the time of your donation by either contacting 1-800-RED-CROSS or mailing your donation, with the designation, to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.

DISASTER RELIEF FUND
You can help people affected by disasters, like the recent earthquake and floods in American Samoa, by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. You may also call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or mail your donation, to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.

Photo: Red Cross search and rescue teams saved more than 400 people from rooftops and high walls over the weekend as flood waters from Typhoon Ketsana caught people by surprise.

Red Cross search and rescue teams saved more than 400 people from rooftops and high walls over the weekend as flood waters from Typhoon Ketsana caught people by surprise.

October 1-Typhoon Ketsana hit the Philippines on September 26 with heavy rains and flooding in the capital city Manila and northern areas of the country. Yesterday, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake rattled the western Indonesian coastline. 

Typhoon Ketsana then landed in central and northern Vietnam on September 30 creating the worst flooding experienced in some areas for more than 40 years, affecting 60,000 people and severely damaging agriculture. Within six hours, 35 to 55 centimeters (1.1 to 1.8 feet) of rain fell, equivalent to a typical month’s rainfall during the monsoon season. Areas in Cambodia and Laos were also affected. Two additional typhoons could potentially hit the region in the coming week.

As a result of the earthquake in Indonesia, buildings caught fire, homes collapsed, electricity failed, airports closed, and residents and tourists are trapped. Fearing aftershocks, many families are now sleeping in the streets. Early reports indicate a death toll of over 770 people with thousands more still trapped under the rubble.

Thousands of volunteers from both the Philippine and Vietnam National Red Cross agencies
are working around the clock in search and rescue operations, and continue to provide shelter, relief items and psychosocial support to affected families. Additional volunteers have been mobilized to carry out damage assessments and provide food and water to those affected.

While both countries cope with the aftermath of Typhoon Ketsana, locally known as Typhoon Ondoy, two additional storms are forming nearby, one of which is projected to hit the previously affected portion of the Philippines. The Red Cross is on site and making preparations.

The Indonesian Red Cross is leading the humanitarian response for earthquake victims. Immediately following the temblor, authorities issued a tsunami warning and the Indonesian Red Cross helped evacuate residents to higher ground. After the tsunami warning was lifted, local volunteers began assisting with search and rescue and conducting damage assessments. In the days and weeks that follow, the Indonesian Red Cross will organize first aid services, shelter and other assistance for those in need.

Currently, the American Red Cross has pledged $50,000 to the Disaster Relief Emergency Fund to the Phillipines and stands ready to support the relief operations should there be a  request for assistance. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have released over $550,000 in Disaster Relief Emergency Funds to support local response efforts.

To reach a U.S. citizen living or traveling in Indonesia, contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747.

The American Red Cross can accept gifts designated to the ongoing response to the typhoons and floods in Southeast Asia. To help, visit www.redcross.org or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Donations to the International Response Fund can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). To learn more about the work of American Red Cross in the U.S. and around the world, please visit www.redcross.org.

The American Red Cross and the Red Cross and Red Crescent national societies in Asia are among the 186 members of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation). Members of the International Federation work with each other and with the International Committee of the Red Cross to help communities around the world prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and other crises.

To learn more about the international disaster response visit, http://newsroom.redcross.org/2009/10/01/video-international-update-asia-pacific/.

The American Red Cross is responding on American Samoa with local volunteers.  American Samoa is a U.S. territory, and the independent country of Western Samoa which make up the Samoan group of islands in the center of the area known as Polynesia.

In American Samoa the American Red Cross has dozens of volunteers already providing food and supplies in affected areas.  The Red Cross has a warehouse on the island stocking cots, flashlights, cooking supplies and clean-up supplies and will be sending in additional provisions as quickly as they can. A leadership team of 50 volunteers including Scott Underwood, assistant director of operations, American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles whom will be serving as the Red Cross National job director departed this morning to supplement the local Red Cross workforce on the island. The immediate focus of the Red Cross is to provide food, water and needed supplies.

In Western Samoa, our sister Samoa Red Cross Society is mounting a strong disaster response to the damage caused by the tsunami. There are initial reports from the Samoa Red Cross saying the situation is very bad and many homes have been destroyed. About 135 Samoa Red Cross volunteers are assisting with the relief efforts, including distributing relief supplies, clean water, tarps and first aid supplies to affected families, and managing three camps for people who have been displaced.

Safe & Well Website
We are encouraging people who have been in contact with loved ones on American Samoa, to share information about their well-being by registering them on the Red Cross Safe and Well website at www.redcross.org. (Note: Safe and Well only works on American Samoa – it does not work on Western Samoa.) For those that do not have internet access, they can call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to register their loved ones. The information they post on the Safe and Well website will let other loved ones know about the well-being of those on the island. Concerned family members who know the person’s phone number (home, cell or work) or a complete home address can search for messages posted about their loved ones.

Donations to the Disaster Relief Fund
The American Red Cross is responding to the situation in American Samoa, thanks to the Disaster Relief Fund. Public donations enable the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles, 11355 Ohio Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90025 or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Internet users can make a secure online donation by visiting http://redcrossla.org/donations/.

In-Kind Donations
Currently the American Red Cross is not accepting donations of food or clothing.  The Samoan Congregational Christian Church of South Los Angeles is accepting donations at 1249 E. Carson St. in Carson.

To learn more about the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles and earthquake prepardness, visit http://redcrossla.org/preparedness/earthquake-safety.

Coastal residents are advised to stay out of the waters off the beach and away from harbors and marinas. Wave height and currents are amplified by irregular shoreline and are difficult to predict.  Minor wave fluctuations around one foot are expected to begin at:

Port San Luis Harbor - 8:59 PM Local Time
Santa Barbara Harbor – 9:03 PM Local Time
San Pedro Harbor – 9:06 PM Local Time
Santa Monica Harbor – 9:11 PM Local Time

The tsunami advisory is a result of the 8.3 earthquake that occurred at 10:48 AM near the Samoa Island region.  The American Red Cross is working with our partners in the federal government to assess the current situation. The tsunami warning for American Samoa has been canceled at this time.

Samoa is a sovereign country and has its own Red Cross, the Samoan Red Cross, which is a sister society to the American Red Cross.

To learn more about earthquake and tsunami preparedness, visit www.RedcrossLA.org

Benjamin Waserman, age 4, with his parents in Berlin in 1933.

By Deana Mesa
Communication and Marketing Volunteer

As a journalist, Kastle Waserman has spent a career devoted to gathering information and searching for the truth. However, when it came to her own family history, she knew little.

Waserman’s father, Benjamin, is a Holocaust survivor who was captured in 1943 after his own father was murdered. Just 13 at the time, Benjamin (along with his mother and brother) was sent to a concentration camp in Theresienstadt, Czechoslovakia. Liberated in 1945, Benjamin came to America to start over.

“He didn’t really talk about it all that much when I was a child,” says Kastle. “It wasn’t until later in life that I started to ask questions.” Embarking on a deeply personal journey, Kastle turned to the Red Cross Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center to obtain information on family members missing or deceased during the Holocaust.

Los Angeles resident Kastle Waserman, pictured with her father, Benjamin Waserman, conducted searches on loved ones missing since the Holocaust.

The Center is a national clearinghouse for persons seeking the fates of loved ones missing since the end of Word War II and the Holocaust. A free service, the Tracing Center uses the combined resources from a worldwide network of more than 180 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Magen David Adom, as well as museums, archives and international organizations, such as Yad Vashem, Israel’s main Holocaust and Remembrance Center. Since its inception in 1989, the Red Cross has conducted searches on over 43,000 missing individuals.

Hoping to “fill in the links,” Kastle gave the Red Cross Tracing Center eight family names. One name on the list was her father’s childhood playmate, his cousin Sigmund. “We had always assumed the worst,” says Kastle, “but he survived.” Sigmund, now 83, had relocated to Paris. “I immediately called my father and we started crying. That information alone was so joyful to find out.”

The cousins have talked to each other on the phone and hope to soon have a face-to-face reunion. “Knowing that he had children and lived a good life . . . we would have never have known this if it wasn’t for the tracing services.”

Kastle Waserman receives tracing information from Greater Los Angeles Red Cross caseworker Noa Oldak.

Noa Oldak, the Greater Los Angeles Red Cross International Services program coordinator who conducted searches on behalf of the Waserman family, emphasizes the importance of the tracing service: “We provide documentation about forced evacuations, forced slave labor, and other information required for Holocaust survivors to submit claims and receive reparations and pensions.” She added, “More importantly, we help provide closure. These are survivors who are quickly advancing in age and they’re gaining a sense of urgency to find out information about loved ones.”

Recently, Kastle met with Oldak at the Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles headquarters to receive information about her father’s aunt. Every piece of news helps Benjamin Waserman further heal, and gives Kastle a better understanding of what her father went through.

“I feel closer to my dad as a result of this search,” said Kastle. “Having a piece of paper with my father’s actual arrest date and location where he was sent makes what happened very real. It makes it not just a story anymore.”

To initiate a search or for more information about the American Red Cross Holocaust and War Victims Tracing Center, please contact the Greater Los Angeles Red Cross at (310) 477-5483 or email Intlservices@arcla.org.