American Red Cross Disaster Newsroom

American Red Cross Contributions to Japan Disaster Response Increase to Nearly $245 Million
New $35 million donation means that almost 90 percent of U.S. donations have been sent to Japan in four months

[WASHINGTON] Monday, July, 11 2011 – The American Red Cross is making a $35 million donation to the Japanese Red Cross, bringing its contributions the country’s earthquake and tsunami response to nearly $245 million – about 90 percent of the money donated.

The new donation to the Japanese Red Cross comes as Japan continues to work to recover from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami as well as newer developments such as Sunday’s aftershock, last month’s flooding, and the onset of summer heat.

The Japanese Red Cross has made significant progress four months after the devastating disasters struck the country’s northeast coastline on March 11. The American Red Cross is backing more than half of the Japanese Red Cross’ $350 million aid program designed to meet the continuing emergency and longer-term recovery needs of more than 90,000 families living in evacuation centers and temporary housing.

With funding provided by the American Red Cross, more than 36,000 families have already received a set of household appliances, including a washing machine, refrigerator, microwave, rice cooker and hot water dispenser, for their temporary homes. As the temperature rises, seasonal appliances, such as electric fans, will be considered for future distributions.

“The number of families receiving appliances has grown exponentially in recent weeks – which is a good indicator that people are transitioning out of the evacuation centers and into more comfortable accommodations, such as pre-fabricated houses and vacant apartments provided through the government” said Alex Mahoney, disaster management expert with the American Red Cross.

Ultimately, the Red Cross will provide 90,000 families with household appliances while also improving water and sanitation systems and providing comfort items for those who still remain at the evacuation centers.

Read More >>

American Red Cross Investments in Japan Disaster Response Exceed $160 Million
Donations for earthquake and tsunami response will be used to help homeless, sick and elderly

[Washington, DC] May 13, 2011 – The American Red Cross is making another $30 million donation to the Japanese Red Cross, bringing its contributions to date to more than $160 million.

The Japanese Red Cross announced a $350 million long-term recovery plan supported by donations from its international partners, including the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross expects that its contributions to the Japanese Red Cross will support more than half of the planned activities.

Red Cross and Red Crescent partners from around the world, including the American Red Cross, gathered in Tokyo from May 9-11 to review the response to the disaster so far and to discuss plans to aid long-term recovery.

“During the meeting, the group identified the need for significant investments in improving temporary living conditions, restoring emergency and routine health services, and caring for the elderly and vulnerable children,” said Alex Mahoney, disaster management expert with the American Red Cross. “As the Japanese Red Cross moves forward with this plan, the American Red Cross will continue to direct funds to help meet the survivors’ unprecedented and evolving needs.”

About two-thirds of the donations received from international partners will be utilized to improve the living conditions for people in evacuation centers and temporary homes being constructed by the government. The Japanese Red Cross is supplying water, shower and kitchen facilities in evacuation centers. Donations are also being used to outfit the 72,000 pre-fabricated houses with six electrical appliances each, which will help an estimated 280,000 people resume normal activities and jump start their recovery.

In addition, the Japanese Red Cross will support the rebuilding of a temporary hospital in Ishinomaki City, the strengthening of the region’s only remaining critical care facility and the future construction of a permanent nursing school dedicated to training specialists in disaster medical care.

Read More >>

American Red Cross Contributes Another $30 Million for Japan’s Recovery

[Washington, DC] April 29, 2011 – The American Red Cross today committed another $30 million to the Japan earthquake and tsunami relief and recovery efforts, bringing the organization’s total contribution to $133.5 million. The latest donation to the Japanese Red Cross followed a four-day visit to Japan by Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross.

With the funds sent to date in support of the Japanese Red Cross and other humanitarian partners, the American Red Cross becomes one of the largest private, international contributors to the response. As of April 28, the American Red Cross had raised more than $197 million for the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami response, including more than $4.5 million in text donations.

Additional contributions to Japan will follow today’s $30 million gift as pledges are fulfilled and donations are received.

McGovern, who had gone to Japan at the invitation of the Japanese Red Cross, spent four days traveling the affected areas, meeting with survivors and learning how American donations have been and will in the future be put to use.

Read More >>