American Red Cross Supports Response to Nepal Earthquake in South Asia, Greater NY

Red Cross Societies across the globe, including the American Red Cross, are rushing into Nepal with emergency humanitarian assistance following the devastating earthquake.

The American Red Cross has disaster specialists on the way to Nepal and is committing financial support to the relief effort. The American Red Cross is working closely with the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) and global Red Cross network to coordinate additional support. The American Red Cross is providing remote mapping and information management support to the earthquake response to obtain a more accurate assessment of the destruction.

RED CROSS ON THE GROUND IN NEPAL

The Nepal Red Cross is providing first aid, search and rescue, blood to medical facilities in the capital and support to first responders. The NRCS has extensive experience in responding to natural disasters and plays a leading role in the government's contingency plan.

The Red Cross has approximately 19,000 non-food relief kits available in Nepal which include clothing, kitchen sets, tarpaulins, mosquito nets, and personal hygiene items. Nearly 1,200 tarpaulins have already been distributed to displaced families and the Red Cross is activating its logistics systems in Kuala Lumpur and Dubai to mobilize additional relief materials in the coming days.

HELP FINDING LOVES ONES

The Nepal Red Cross Society and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are working to reunite families separated by the earthquake in Nepal. To learn more, visit the "Family Links" website (Nepal Earthquake Restoring Family Links page) on the ICRC web site.

RED CROSS SUPPORT IN GREATER NY REGION

Here in Greater NY, trained Red Cross volunteers are available to address the emotional needs of those worried about loved ones and struggling with the emotional impact of this tragedy. To reach a volunteer for this assistance or for help searching for a missing family member via our "Family Links" website, call 877 RED CROSS (733 2767). Volunteers will also be present in Greater NY communities with a large Nepalese population offering this support in the days to come.

HOW TO HELP

To help those affected by the Nepal Earthquake, visit Redcross.org or call 877 RED CROSS (800 733 2767).

EXTENSIVE DEVASTATION

The earthquake is the largest to hit Nepal since 1934 and already has caused significant destruction and loss of life. Accessibility to remote areas surrounding Kathmandu is a major challenge, hampering search and rescue and relief efforts. Reports vary but well over 3,000 people have been killed, with thousands more injured. At least 15 aftershocks, ranging from magnitude 5 to 6.6, caused further damage to buildings and increased the risk of collapse. Electricity and telephone connectivity is intermittent and mobile services are experiencing heavy congestion. Hospitals continue to function but are stretched to the limits.

LONG-STANDING RELATIONSHIP

The American Red Cross has been working with the Nepal Red Cross (NRCS) since 1999, supporting both disaster relief and disaster preparedness programming.