Red Cross Accepting Funds After Italian Quake
Search and rescue teams and sniffer dogs from the Italian Red Cross are on the ground following a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in the early hours of the morning today [Aug 24], with the Bermuda Red Cross accepting donations to go toward rescue and recovery efforts.
A BBC story said, “At least 120 people have been killed and 368 injured in an earthquake that hit a mountainous area of central Italy, PM Matteo Renzi has said.
“The magnitude-6.2 quake struck at 03:36 [01:36 GMT], 100km [65 miles] north-east of Rome, not far from Perugia. Many of the dead were in the historic town of Amatrice, where the mayor said three-quarters of the town was destroyed, and in nearby Accumoli.
“Many people are still believed to be buried under rubble.
“This is not a final toll,” Mr Renzi warned as he gave the latest figures.
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“He had earlier paid tribute to the volunteers and civil defence officials who had rushed to the scene in the middle of the night and used their bare hands to dig for survivors.”
A Red Cross spokesperson said, “The towns of Amatrice, Accumoli and Arquata del Tronto village in central Italy are the worst affected areas. The Red Cross has also sent 20 ambulances to the affected areas, while local volunteers are on the ground providing support for survivors.”
Italian Red Cross spokesman Tommaso Della Longa said, “The pictures that we have received from our colleagues in Amatrice are telling us a terrible story of a town almost completely destroyed. “Our priority right now is finding survivors.”
“Mobile kitchens are also being set up for people who have been forced to leave their homes. A 24-hour emergency control centre has been activated in Rome, while the Red Cross is also working from a mobile operations centre in the quake zone.
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“Whilst neither the Italian Government nor Italian Red Cross has requested international assistance, we are able to advise that there is an account open if the Bermuda community wish to make a donation to help the victims of this devastating earthquake.
“All monies received in Bermuda will be forwarded to the Italian Red Cross.
“Mr. Donald Richardson will be collecting funds at Lindo’s Warwick.
“The MEF Group of restaurants all have donation buckets in their locations for patrons to make donations to assist the relief efforts.
“The best way to help a disaster victim is through a financial donation to the Red Cross. Financial contributions allow the Red Cross to purchase exactly what is needed for the disaster relief operation. The Red Cross initially responds to most international relief efforts with monetary support, and, when needed, ships items such as comfort kits, clean-up kits, medical supplies, tents or tarps.
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“Monetary donations also enable the Red Cross to purchase relief supplies close to the disaster site, which avoids delays, and transportation costs in getting basic necessities to disaster victims. Because the affected community has generally experienced significant economic loss, purchasing relief supplies in or close to the disaster site also helps to stimulate the weakened local economy.
“Donations can be made by direct deposit into the following account: Bank of N.T. Butterfield 20-006-060-663859-200. Or call at 236-8253 with debit/credit card details or mail or stop in at their offices: Bermuda Red Cross, Italy Earthquake, Charleswood, 9 Berry Hill Road, Paget DV 03.”
Sad,very sad.