7 News Belize

Belize Red Cross Relief Appeal
posted (October 27, 2010)
With the unfolding disaster in the aftermath of Hurricane Richard - you may be wondering why you haven't heard from the Red Cross.

Well, that's because since Monday they have been carrying out assessments in the areas that were affected by Hurricane Richard. The work of the Red Cross took them to areas of the City, the Belize River Valley, Gales Point, and parts of Belmopan. But the work continues, as Director General of the Belize Red Cross, Lilly Bowman told us that their assessments have identified numerous families in need and they are requesting the public's assistance:

Lilly Bowman, Director General - Belize Red Cross
"After having these rapid and initial assessments, we have found that at least 110 families have been greatly or partially affected and that's roughly about 550 person that need assistance right away so while we were doing the assessments we have been distributing items like hygiene kits, blankets, tarps, clothing of course and whatever cleaning items we had to assist with. Not everybody has been receiving because assessments probably were not completed, however today we have 5 teams going out again into the Belize City area and like Rockville, Gracie Rock area, a few in the Belize River Valley. as I mention we don't go empty handed we give what we have. However there will be much more assistance that these people will be needing. Food will just begin today but with the food and water, we are coordinating it with the ministry of human development within NEMO so that we ensure that we reach everybody that really needs and we are not duplicating efforts."

"We would lie to launch an appeal to our public for their assistance because only with them can we help these people that have been affected. Of course we need monetary donations, that is so that we can directly concentrate on the needs of the people. We can purchase exactly what they need. In kind donations are being accepted but I ask the general public to please be very sure that the things that you donate are usable and they are not junk that we need to incur a cost to get thrown away or that we give the people and they cannot use it. The people are already suffering they need to be help not to be hindered more. So I really depend on the general public for this kind assistance."

"The monetary donation will be accepted here at the Red Cross building on Gabourel, however the in kind donations; if they can bring small amounts here to the Red Cross but if we have large amounts of those donations we will redirect them to our warehouse in the Mercy Sisters Compound just behind the PUC. You could access it from Marine Parade or through Gabourel through the PUC yard."

Andrea Polanco
"So for those let's say who are out in the districts and they have something that they want to give to the Belize Red Cross but they can't maybe reach here in the city. Can they drop it off at the offices countrywide?"

Lilly Bowman, Director General - Belize Red Cross
"Of course every district has a Red Cross office and they can definitely drop them off there with instructions for it to be forwarded to us. Our branch personnel are there, they are on standby and they will do this."

For those who would like to make a donation you can call the Belize Red Cross at 227-3319 or 227 3617. If you'd like to make a monetary donation you can also go to any of the banks countrywide and deposit in the "Belize Red Cross Appeal Fund".

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