The Belize Red Cross has submitted BZ$49,317 to the Asian Tsunami Relief Appeal launched by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Although donations are still coming in, due to the enormity of the disaster, the decision was taken to send what had been collected since the 3rd January 2005.

The response to this nationwide appeal has been commendable and the Belize Red Cross takes this opportunity to thank the various businesses, churches, schools, media partners, the public and other agencies for partnering in this humanitarian effort.

To date over 276,000 lives in Asia and parts of Africa have been claimed by the deadly Tsunami. Over 525,000 persons have been injured, 1.6 million are displaced and another 1 million persons remain homeless.

Emergency action by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies has resulted in food, water, health care, sanitation facilities and temporary shelter for well over 500,000 persons. Additionally, the Red Cross has provided tracing services to reunite separated families, as well as psychological counseling for traumatized survivors.

Reports show that 22,500 Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers and 76 Red Cross emergency response teams have been mobilized in 10 disaster affected countries since December 26, 2004. The immediate relief phase of the Federation's operation seeks to assist 2 million people for the next 6-8 months. This assistance will transition into a long-term recovery effort for the region that is expected to last for at least 5 years.

The Belizean public has again displayed remarkable generosity in coming forward to assist those who have been devastated by this overwhelming tragedy. Another update on the Belize Red Cross Asian Tsunami Appeal efforts will be announced at the end of February.