Canadian banks accepting donations for Red Cross relief efforts in Pakistan

OTTAWA, Aug. 20 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Red Cross is pleased to announce that nine banks in Canada are accepting cash donations in support of Red Cross relief efforts in Pakistan. Over 20 million people have been left devastated as the worst disaster the world has seen in a decade wreaks havoc across the country.

"The scale of this disaster is unimaginable," says Conrad Sauvé, secretary general and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross. "We urgently need more support to meet the overwhelming humanitarian needs in Pakistan. We are grateful to these banks for making it easier for Canadians to rapidly turn their compassion into aid, support and hope."

The Red Cross Movement is rapidly mobilizing to support the urgent needs of affected communities. The Pakistan Red Crescent has over 50,000 volunteers who have already reached 300,000 people with emergency supplies and medical assistance.

The Canadian Red Cross is actively supporting the global response and has already deployed four mobile health units and a seven-person paramedic team to affected communities. In addition, $2.5 million has been contributed to the International Red Cross appeal including an international delegate to lead the Field Assessment team and 900 much-needed tents.

Canadians can give online, call toll-free at 1-800-418-1111 or visit their local Red Cross office or one of the participating bank branches. Cheques should be earmarked Pakistan Floods 2010.

The following banks are accepting financial donations from August 20 to September 17 2010:

    
    BMO Financial Group
    Canadian Western Bank
    CIBC
    HSBC Bank Canada
    Laurentian Bank of Canada
    National Bank Financial Group
    RBC
    Scotiabank
    TD Canada Trust
    

Canadians wishing to make a financial donation may give online at www.redcross.ca, call 1-800-418-1111 or contact their local Canadian Red Cross office. The 24-hour toll free line accepts Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked "Pakistan Floods 2010" and mailed to the Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2.

The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and over 185 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.

For further information: or to arrange an interview, please contact: Canadian Red Cross, Media Line, 613-740-1994; Or Andrew Addison, Canadian Bankers Association, Tel: [phone], ext. 220, Cell: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]