Red Cross mobilizes for SE Asia relief

The American Red Cross is now working around the clock to coordinate relief efforts to those affected by the terrible earthquake and then tsunamis that have devastated several countries around the Bay of Bengal.

At the same time, Saipan’s Thai community president Rian “Khai” Charoenkhai met with his community members Monday night, updating each other on the disaster that had struck Phuket, Thailand. Khai said the community initially plans to send out letters that will solicit assistance and aid from companies here on Saipan.

Khai thanked the media for the preliminary help by informing the public of their request for help. He also mentioned that the Thai community held a meeting last night to finalize and outline their plan to extend assistance to the victims in Phuket, either by donating clothes, food or cash.

There are more than 700 Thai nationals living and working in the CNMI. The community said it will accept contributions, whether in cash or in kind. For more information, contact Rian “Khai” Charoenkhai at 287-1823, 236-8823 and 235-3787.

The U.S. Naval Forces in the Marianas also said that the USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) will be cutting short its stay on Guam, and USS Duluth (LPD-6) and USS Rushmore (LSD-9) will bypass Guam entirely, in preparation for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief tasking in the Bay of Bengal.

Bonhomme Richard was expected to take on stores and set sail from Guam yesterday afternoon. The three ships of Expeditionary Strike Group 5 were expected to stay on Guam until Jan. 2.

The NMI Chapter of the American Red Cross is providing its International Disaster Welfare Inquiry services to members of the community who have lost touch with family members as a result of this disaster. U.S. citizens should contact the State Department missing persons hotline at -1-888-407-4747.

The American Red Cross is one of more than 150 Red Cross or Red Crescent Societies around the world. All the societies make up the International Federation of the Red Cross.

Together the Federation pools its resources from around the word in times of disaster, and provides the most appropriate and effective relief program to help those in need. The American Red Cross is working closely with Indian, Thai, Sri Lanka and Indonesian Societies to identify the most desperately needed supplies.

During a disaster of this magnitude, safe drinking water, food and shelter are always a top priority. In the days to come the Red Cross movement around the world will be assisting with immediate as well as long-term assistance to victims of this disaster.

People can help those affected by this crisis and countless others around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to those in need.

“You can give specifically to assist those in SE Asia by marking the memo area of your check with “AP # 2695 Tsunami Relief.” You can call 1-800-HELP NOW or the NMI Chapter at 234-3459 to make a donation. Internet users can also make a secure online contribution by visiting www.redcross.org (with Marconi Calindas)