09-12-2005

PRESS CONTACT INFO

ANGIE MONCADA
Director of Communications
& Special Events

PHONE
(401) 831-7700 x101
E-MAIL
[email protected]

Monday, September 12, 2005
American Red cross of Rhode Island ASSISTS over 100 Self-Evacuees

To date, the American Red Cross Rhode Island Chapter has processed and assisted 109 individuals who have evacuated the Gulf Coast region and arrived on their own to Rhode Island. Of these self-evacuees, there are 81 adults and 28 children. Of the 81 adults, 37 are male and 44 are female.

The evacuees arrived independently from those who flew into Quonset Air Force Base last week. Upon arrival in Rhode Island, the Red Cross provided transportation from the airport to area hotels for the self-evacuees where they are currently being housed. In addition, the Red Cross provided cash assistance to the individuals allowing them to purchase food and clothing. The self-evacuees will receive lodging assistance by the Red Cross for a minimum of 14 days.

The Red Cross is currently awaiting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) authorization for the self-evacuees to move to the Anchorage housing complex in Middletown if they desire. All evacuees can apply for long-term assistance from FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or applying online at www.fema.gov.

The Red Cross will continue to support the self-evacuees by providing transportation to the Family Resource Center established in Middletown. The center is serving as a one-stop location for evacuees to access state and federal services including disaster, health care, employment, transportation and education services. The center is located on the grounds of the Anchorage housing complex in Middletown where over 100 people dislocated by Hurricane Katrina are currently being housed. (The center is closed to the media due to the sensitive nature of information being processed. There was a media tour scheduled at 7:30 am on Monday morning.)

Nationally, The American Red Cross anticipates providing financial assistance to up to 1 million individuals affected by Hurricane Katrina.

American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can help the victims of this and thousands of other disasters across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org.

© Copyright 2002-2005 American National Red Cross. All rights reserved.
American Red Cross of Rhode Island • 105 Gano Street :: PO Box 2496 • Providence, RI 02906
Tel: (401) 831-7700 • TOLL FREE 1-800-842-1122 • Fax: (401) 831-0502

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