On April 6, a 6.3 earthquake struck the city of L’Aquila in central Italy — the worst earthquake to hit the region in nearly 30 years. The Italian Red Cross is working feverishly to assist tens of thousands of people left homeless. Within hours, it established a field hospital with surgical facilities to help relieve the burden on local hospitals and brought in mobile kitchens to help feed survivors and rescue workers. The American Red Cross is ready to assist the Italian Red Cross in their response efforts if needed.
This temblor is a stark reminder of the devastation and loss of life caused by earthquakes and how the Red Cross remains ready to help people around the world when disaster strikes. Many natural disasters, like earthquakes, happen with no warning. Living in Southern California or “earthquake country,” the best thing we can do is to prepare by getting a kit, making a plan and being informed.
You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each year, like the earthquake in Italy, 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. Please call 1-800-RED CROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). To find out more information, you can visit www.redcross.org.
