October 14, 1997-- Thousands of
people remain homeless in three Pacific coast states of Mexico after Hurricane
Pauline struck on Thursday, packing winds of up to 120 miles per hour and
dumping up to 20 inches of rain in less than 24 hours in some areas. Flooding
and mudslides caused further destruction. More than 200 have been
killed, and this number is expected to rise.
Thousands of residents are being inoculated
against typhoid fever and tetanus, as it is now feared that epidemics could
threaten many in this largely poor region, where drinking water has become
contaminated.
Armond Mascelli, Disaster Services Director
of Operations for the American Red Cross, traveled to Mexico on Monday
to meet with officials of the Mexican Red Cross.
Mexican government officials and agencies
have not formally requested international aid, but are assessing the situation
carefully and will report to their American counterpart if they need more
help.
The American Red Cross has already sent
an initial $25,000 cash contribution, reinforced plastic sheeting for temporary
roof and house repairs, and clean-up equipment.
Local chapters are also pitching in.
The San Antonio chapter, which has received a high number of calls
from people offering help, sent clean-up kits with mops, brooms, sponges
and cleaning chemicals for initial cleanup. The Los Angeles chapter
sent 2,000 comfort kits over the weekend, containing hygiene supplies such
as toothpaste and brushes, as well as crossword puzzles for children, Retherford
said.
The Mexican Red Cross is adept in its
response to natural disasters, and was even there to help after Hurricane
Andrew struck Florida.
"They gave us depth in some areas
we didn't have," said Retherford, who explained that the bilingual
delegates were essential in communicating with non-English speaking Latinos
in South Florida.
Mexicans on the Pacific coast "were
not used to getting hurricanes and didn't know what to expect," Retherford
added. "People in Florida have an understanding of what hurricanes
can do. They got out of there and their efforts paid off."
Please help provide urgently needed humanitarian assistance to the victims of Hurricane Pauline and other international crises by making a contribution to the American Red Cross International Response Fund. Make a secure online credit card donation right now or call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send a check to your American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.
The American Red Cross honors the expressed wishes of its donors to designate their contribution to a specific country, operation, or event or to give to the International Response Fund.
Disclaimer
- American Red Cross
- All American Red Cross disaster assistance is provided at no cost, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. The Red Cross also supplies nearly half of the nation's lifesaving blood. This, too, is made possible by generous voluntary donations. To help the victims of disaster, you may make a secure online credit card donation or call 1-800-HELP NOW (1-800-435-7669) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Or you may send your donation to your local Red Cross or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. To donate blood, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543), or contact your local Red Cross to find out about upcoming blood drives. © Copyright, The American National Red Cross. All Rights Reserved.