(Calgary – July 20, 2006) The Canadian Red Cross in Southern Alberta is supporting the preliminary appeal issued by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The ICRC is seeking $9.07 million CDN to respond to the growing humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing armed conflict in Lebanon. This will allow the ICRC to strengthen its operations in Lebanon to respond to the urgent needs of the civilian population affected by the conflict, and to help boost the emergency-response capacity of the Lebanese Red Cross Society.
Medical care and support to the health system, as well as food, clean water and temporary shelter continue to be the urgent needs in the area. There is particular emphasis on ensuring that the medical sector and the Lebanese Red Cross Society’s emergency medical and first-aid services have sufficient resources to cope with the vastly increased workload.
Medical kits and material to treat the war-wounded are en route to Lebanon from ICRC warehouses in Amman, Jordan and will be distributed to hospitals, dispensaries and the Lebanese Red Cross Society’s first aid services in the next few days. Hospitals and other health structures are being visited to assess their most urgent needs.
Albertans can help by donating to the Red Cross in Southern Alberta. Donations can be made by calling (403) 541-6100 or 1-800-418-1111; online at www.redcross.ca ; by mailing a cheque earmarked “Lebanon Crisis” to The Canadian Red Cross Society, 1305 11th Ave SW, Calgary, Alberta, T3C 3P6;
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 185 national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.