MVTimes Online - Red Cross tsunami relief effort is now fully funded

MVTimes Online - The Martha's Vineyard Times: Island News Now: "OP ED
Red Cross tsunami relief effort is now fully funded
February 3, 2005

By Deborah Medders

On Sunday, Dec. 26, the largest earthquake to strike the globe since 1964 rocked the ocean floor off the coast of Indonesia. The 9.0-magnitude quake triggered large tsunami waves that brought massive flooding and damage, and took more than 150,000 lives. The tsunami also left hundreds of thousands injured, missing, and homeless. As the death toll continues to climb, the fear and risk of malaria, respiratory infections, and dengue fever are becoming very real threats.

As a result of this tragedy, the American Red Cross has subsequently witnessed one of the greatest demonstrations of compassion and support in its 124-year history. Time and again Americans trust the Red Cross with their charitable donations. Since the first days after the devastation in South Asia, the American Red Cross has been the beneficiary of record-breaking contributions and has consistently informed the public about the money raised and how it is being used to provide relief. "