British Red Cross launches Hurricane Matthew appeal
Howard Lake | 8 October 2016 | News
British Red Cross has launched an emergency appeal in response to the damage caused by category-four storm Hurricane Matthew.
More than one million people have been affected by the hurricane. In Haiti over 850 people have been killed, and 350,000 people are in need of aid. The Cuban town of Baracoa has experienced damage to 90% of its buildings.
British Red Cross Disaster Relief Alliance partners including Tesco, Aviva, and John Lewis Partnership have already contributed to the appeal through the disaster fund.
David Foster, from the British Red Cross emergencies team, said:
“The extraordinary damage and loss of life inflicted by Hurricane Matthew is slowly becoming clear…
“Our colleagues at the Haiti Red Cross have been instrumental in preparing communities for the storm and they now need our support in the emergency relief effort.”
The American Red Cross opened 84 shelters on Wednesday night and more are anticipated as the storm approaches. Five hundred disaster workers and 90 response vehicles are on standby. Thirty trailer-loads of shelter supplies, ready-to-eat meals and emergency aid are also in place.
In addition the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) has launched an emergency appeal for 6.8 million Swiss francs ($6.9 million) to provide medical, shelter, water and sanitation assistance to 50,000 people in the storm-ravaged southwest of Haiti.
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Tropical Storm Nicole
There is a chance that the situation can deteriorate further. The International Federation of the Red Cross is monitoring the path and strength of Tropical Storm Nicole, which is following a similar path to Hurricane Matthew. Red Cross teams in Panama are preparing emergency stocks and aid workers in case the storms converge to form a more destructive hurricane.
The British Red Cross is inviting donations online, via phone and by post.
The British Red Cross Hurricane Matthew appeal is accepting donations online, via the phone (0300 456 4999) and post.
Other appeals following Hurricane Matthew
Other charities working in Haiti and other affected areas have set up fundraising appeals.
#HurricaneMatthew has killed more than 300 people in #Haiti & forced thousands more from their homes. You CAN help – https://t.co/UnMqD6g8n9 pic.twitter.com/seDcga5b5n
— Oxfam (@oxfamgb) October 7, 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgoPjpxo454
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.