Canadian Red Cross Deploying Volunteers to Ike-Impacted Texas

The Canadian Red Cross is ramping up its relief operations in response to a request from the American Red Cross to today deploy nine trained and experienced Canadian Red Cross volunteers to Texas in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ike. The volunteers will provide support with logistics, staffing and shelter management.

The Canadian Red Cross has initiated the moblization of personnel to meet the Amercian Red Cross needs. Volunteers are being deployed from Nova Scotia (Halifax, Richibucton Road and Berwick, King's County), Newfoundland (Gander), Saskatchewan (Yorkton), Alberta (Calgary), and British Columbia (Comox).

"Thousands of local Red Cross volunteers are already on the ground helping to provide shelter, food, kitchen sets, and basic supplies to Ike-affected communities," says Don Shropshire, director, disaster management, Canadian Red Cross. "The Canadian Red Cross has initiated the process to rapidly deploy the requested volunteers to Texas in support of our sister Society."

Red Cross will continue to assess the need for longer-term assistance programs and the Canadian Red Cross will continue to support Red Cross operations in affected communities as they coordinate disaster response activities.

During recent years, the Canadian Red Cross has sent hundreds of volunteers to support emergency relief efforts in the U.S. including September 11 and after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita."

Canadians wishing to help support Hurricane response and disaster preparedness activities are encouraged to contribute by donating online, calling 1-800-418-1111 or contacting their local Red Cross office. Cheques should be made payable to the Canadian Red Cross, earmarked "USA Disaster Relief" and mailed to the Canadian Red Cross National Office, 170 Metcalfe Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario, K2P 2P2.

The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 186 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Canadian Red Cross mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.

Contacts: Red Cross 24 hour media relations line: 613-740-1994