American Red Cross donations reach $210 million for Japan

American Red Cross donations reach $210 million for Japan

2011-06-11 06:02:18 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- The American Red Cross on Friday announced that it would be making another $46 million donation to the Japanese Red Cross, bringing its contributions to date to nearly $210 million.

In order to meet Japan's continuing emergency and longer-term recovery needs of more than 90,000 families living in evacuation centers and temporary housing, the American Red Cross is backing more than half of the Japanese Red Cross' $350 million aid program.

Currently, an estimated 98,000 people remain in evacuation centers - most of which are situated in the hardest hit prefectures of Miyagi, Fukushima and Iwate - three months since the devastating earthquake and tsunami struck Japan's northeast coastline on March 11.

Japanese Red Cross employees and volunteers are providing a range of services for the evacuees and plans are underway to install washing machines, water tanks for hand washing, privacy partitions and televisions.

In addition, the Red Cross is supporting families moving into temporary housing units provided by the government, looking to restore a sense of normality in their lives. Home appliance packages, comprised of a washing machine, rice cooker, refrigerator, hot water dispenser, microwave and television, will be provided to more than 90,000 families.

"The physical and mental health of evacuees is of major concern, particularly where people are facing prolonged stays in centers," said Alex Mahoney, disaster management expert with the American Red Cross. "Longer-term solutions to find more appropriate accommodation for people who have lost their homes are urgently needed."

Furthermore, the Red Cross said it would be increasing the number of caregivers and psychological support teams working in evacuation centers and nursing homes to address mental health issues, post traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety amongst survivors. With major damage to health and care services, another priority is to support medical facilities, such as hospitals, clinics and care homes.

To date, national and international donations have allowed the Japanese Red Cross to send approximately $1 billion to 15 municipalities charged with distributing cash grants to the survivors who have lost their homes, loved ones and livelihoods as a result of the tsunami.

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