(Vancouver, Wash. – October 1, 2009) Southwest Washington Red Cross

Many lives have been lost and hundreds of thousands of people driven out of their homes by flooding in the Philippines and Vietnam in the devastating aftermath of Typhoon Ketsana. In addition, an 8.0 magnitude earthquake, and the resulting tsunami in Samoa, Tonga and American Samoa, destroyed entire villages and tore more lives apart. Two other massive earthquakes rattled Indonesia less than 24 hours apart, trapping thousands in their homes.

• Typhoon Ketsana dropped a foot and a half of rain in just six hours in Manila, Philippines impacting 1.9 million people.
  
  
• In Vietnam, in addition to precious lives lost, waters drowned cattle, flattened homes and destroyed thousands of acres of rice fields.
  
  
• Up to 20 foot high tsunami waves came ashore on American Samoa after the earthquake in the South Pacific.
  
  
• Two deadly earthquakes a day apart struck Indonesia, leaving thousands dead and even more homeless.

In response to these disasters, a network of thousands of Red Cross volunteers have mobilized to evacuate communities, carry out needs assessments and provide food, water, trained personnel and other relief assistance to the people affected by these disasters.

The American Red Cross honors donor intent. Please indicate at the time of the donation, which disaster you intend to support. General donations to each of the funds listed below are also accepted and preferred. If a media agency or community group would like to coordinate a fundraising activity or make a public appeal, please coordinate with your local American Red Cross of Southwest Washington.

Help people affected by disasters like the recent earthquake and floods by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to prepare for disasters and provide shelter, food, emotional support and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross , or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013.