The outpouring of support has been tremendous, with more than $75,000 donated by Oregonians for the International Response Fund. Nationally, Americans have donated more than $119 million. This is the largest American Red Cross international response in history, totaling more than money raised for Hurricane Mitch, the Balkan Crisis and the 1985 African famine combined.
In the aftermath of the tsunamis, more than 300 Oregonians called to volunteer in South Asia. Since the Oregon Trail Chapter has not been asked by the American Red Cross to send volunteers, efforts have been focused on providing disaster relief locally through responding to residential fires. Since December 26, about 30 individuals have become a part of the local disaster relief efforts.
While collecting donations for the International Response Fund, the Oregon Trail Chapter is also committed to its service delivery in the Portland area. Cascadia Subduction Zone, the geologic formation off the Pacific Northwest Coast, and the subduction zone near Alaska provide the most likely basis for tsunamis to hit the United States. Future ruptures on these subduction zones may be similar geologically to the event in South Asia.
With the heightened awareness of earthquakes and tsunamis, coupled with cold weather currently affecting the area, the Chapter is helping Oregonians with the following resources:
• FREE EDUCATION GAMES ABOUT DISASTERS FOR SCHOOLS – Kids now have a heightened awareness about earthquake and tsunami risk in the Pacific Northwest. They can learn about them in a positive way. Thanks to a grant from the Collins Foundation, the Oregon Trail Chapter is able to distribute Game Plan: a locally developed card game that teaches youth about 15 disasters (including earthquakes, tsunamis and winter storms). Please help us get the word out to schools that this educational and entertaining resource is available to them at no charge. The game is suitable for 4th – 8th graders.
• BUY FIRST AID/EMERGENCY SUPPLIES AND HELP TSUNAMI VICTIMS – Throughout the month of January, 50 percent of revenue from all Red Cross safety and emergency products at the Oregon Trail Chapter Web site and the Red Cross store on N. Vancouver Avenue will go to the International Response Fund. Oregonians can take steps to prepare for the unexpected and also help provide international relief.
• FREE TRAINING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES – Thanks to a grant from the Weyerhaeuser Workplace Fund, small businesses that do not have the budget for safety training can get employees trained for free. Call the Chapter for criteria and eligibility information.
• FREE PRESENTATIONS FOR GROUPS – AmeriCorps members serving through the Oregon Trail Chapter are available for free presentations to groups of ten or more about how to prepare for disasters and emergencies – including earthquakes and tsunamis.
These services aim to support international relief as well as local needs. Call (503) 284-1234 or email info@redcross-pdx.org for more information.
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