Canadian Red Cross raising funds to support Hurricane Sandy response

OTTAWA, Oct. 31, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Red Cross is asking for donations to support relief operations for communities impacted by Hurricane Sandy across the Caribbean and in the United States. Currently, the Red Cross is providing food, water, safe shelter, and community services in seven countries impacted by the storm.

"The needs in affected communities are great, and recovery will be a long-term process," said Conrad Sauvé, secretary general and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross. "Local volunteers have been responding around the clock to meet urgent life-saving needs of disaster affected communities. The Canadian Red Cross is proud to support their efforts."

Hurricane Sandy had a severe impact in the Caribbean, where it killed 69 people and destroyed or damaged more than 110,000 homes. Damages are particularly extensive in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Jamaica. The storm also affected as many as 60 million people in the United States and Canada, where assessments of the extensive damages are ongoing.

"The Canadian Red Cross is not only raising funds but also has trained disaster response personnel and emergency supplies on standby for deployment anywhere our help is needed," added Sauvé.

Canadians are encouraged to support Red Cross relief efforts by making a financial donation to the Canadian Red Cross. Funds may be given to support hurricane response across the region through the Hurricanes 2012 fund, or can be donated directly to the United States recovery operations through the Hurricane Sandy - USA fund. Donations can be made online at www.redcross.ca/helpnow, at your local branch office or by calling 1-800-418-1111.

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.

SOURCE: CANADIAN RED CROSS

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