Red Cross assisting with relief to flood victims

But there are organizations that have stepped up in trying times and we have come to rely on The Belize Red Cross. This time has been no different. This afternoon Communications Officer, Raphael Martinez, told us where and how they are assisting residents.

Raphael Martinez, Communications Officer, Bz. Red Cross
“Today we have sixteen volunteers travelling all the way from Punta Gorda. They are heading to Belize City as we speak. These sixteen volunteers will be sent to the Belize River Valley are just to assess and to see exactly how the Belize Red Cross can actually assist in what is happening down that side. I also must add that we have fifteen volunteers coming from Dangriga and these volunteers will actually complement the already nineteen volunteers that we have working in the Cayo District, specifically in the Calla Creek and the Bullet Tree areas. Speaking about Cayo so far in the Cayo District, we have served three hundred and seventy-four persons. Four thousand five hundred liters of water has been dispensed, two hundred jerry cans, sixty-four hygiene kits, one hundred and thirty-three blankets have been given out to people in need, twenty-five tarpaulins. We have issued baby pampers, baby formula and we have served over two hundred and sixty hot meals. This Monday we will be going back into the communities and apart from the fifty-nine school kits we have actually given out, we will try to top it a bit with two hundred more.”

“The first thing people look for is a hot meal in their stomachs, so we are appealing again to people who want to contribute to the cause to provide food items. Looking at the vulnerable people like the older persons and babies, we are looking at baby formula, pampers and so on. Clothing would be a third.”

Food and clothing donations can be dropped off at Red Cross offices in the various districts. Monetary contributions should be made to the Belize Red Cross account at FirstCaribbean Bank. The account number is 1082665.