Red Cross deploys $1 million in Government of Canada relief supplies to
Pakistan

TORONTO, Aug. 17 /CNW/ - As a collaborative effort, the Canadian Red Cross, along with the Canadian International Development Agency, has deployed $1 million of emergency supplies to the flood affected communities in Pakistan. Once in Pakistan, the stocks will be distributed by local volunteers through the Red Cross Red Crescent network. 

"Meeting the humanitarian needs of a disaster of this magnitude requires a massive and well-coordinated response," says Hossam Elsharkawi, director of emergencies and recovery with the Canadian Red Cross.  "Initiatives such as the Government of Canada Rapid Response Project are vital to ensuring that we can rapidly meet the urgent needs of survivors."

The supplies, which will land in Islamabad Tuesday, include hygiene kits, mosquito nets, blankets and tarps. In addition to the stocks, a Canadian Red Cross volunteer will accompany the shipment and deliver the supplies directly to the International Red Cross in Islamabad.

"The strength of the Red Cross network is our community based approach," adds Elsharkawi. "The Pakistan Red Crescent has been working around the clock since the flooding began and to date, their efforts have helped almost 300,000 people. The Canadian Red Cross is proud to support their continued efforts responding to this disaster."

To date, the Canadian Red Cross 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.

The needs in Pakistan remain significant, and the Red Cross continues to urge Canadians to donate 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. The Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.

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