Japan: earthquake, tsunami, nuclear warnings and now...snow

Below is a first person account from Nan Buzard, senior director of international response and programs with the American Red Cross, shared via email yesterday – three days into her week-long mission in Japan following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami. She is serving with a seven-person international team designed to support and advise the Japanese Red Cross, which continues to assist the government in its response.

 

(Today we visited) Otsuchi – a northern seaside town of 17,500 nestled between a large bay and forested hills. Now with thousands missing, 242 confirmed dead and over 6,700 evacuated. The mayor and many of the local civil servants were lost, and we spoke with Hiarno Koso, the deputy town administrator.

 

 

 

He was doing a heroic job but was clearly overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster, repeating that for all their tsunami planning they never imagined something of this scale – with a wall of water racing past the tsunami evacuation signs that were thought to be sufficient.

We saw two of the six established (evacuation) centers, both in public schools. One was perched on a hill with sweeping views across a now empty flooded expanse littered with smashed houses – and beyond that a bay still full of flotsam. We walked up streets with homes untouched on one side and gutted on the other. That is how it is everywhere – a line where the wave reached and then it stopped.

The centers are cold with hundreds gathered in the gymnasium, a small kerosene heater no match against the big room. Many of the evacuees we saw were elderly and you could see the shock and exhaustion on their faces. The first few days people had one rice ball a day, then two and now, on the 6th day, are eating three meals a day. But without fuel and stoves there is no heat, and I hate to think how miserable it will be when night comes. No electricity means no water though there were some buckets for minimal washing.

There are some doctors and nurses from the town as well as some Japanese Red Cross mobile clinics but medicines for chronic disease are running out. But people receive our visit with enormous graciousness. 

 

 

The scale of the damage is staggering. Cars are perched in trees and bent against bridge railings as if with a broken back. Boats are tossed across roads and a huge freighter is thrown halfway onto land. Apartment buildings miles inland have fourth floor windows swept away. Twisted metal beams and huge piles of splintered wood are everywhere. The air smells of dead fish and probably dead bodies, and the stink of the fires from the floating infernos – which scorched the hills – has permeated our clothes. 

 

 

There is no question that the enormity of the situation would challenge any government. Hundreds of towns and villages are destroyed and thousands upon thousands of people have lost homes.

Koso did not know what would become of all those in his care. For sure the schools would postpone opening on April 6 but the gymnasiums are not tenable for the months and years it will take to rebuild. Where they will live while the enormous task of rebuilding takes place was beyond his imagination – and he was not sure how many would want to stay anyway in the place that had seemed so safe and was now so full of loss and grief.

And as we left snow began to fall on the silent town. (We’re) now in the car on the way back to Tokyo, and we are once again talking about the failed nuclear reactor. Apparently in addition to the contaminated houses, the farmland is too – so many additional lives and livelihoods are affected by this earthquake.

Nan and the rest of the international advisory group will continue to update us as they can. To learn more about the Japanese Red Cross response and the people being helped, visit our Disaster Online Newsroom.

March is Red Cross Month

March is Red Cross Month and the American Red Cross is asking South Florida to join us in providing help and hope to people in need.

The Red Cross works tirelessly to help those who need assistance, whether down the street, across the country, or around the world. For 130 years Red Cross has been at the forefront to respond to disasters, help members of the military and teach lifesaving skills.

Currently the Red Cross responds to an average of nearly 200 disasters every day. Last year your local American Red Cross responded and provided assistance in 530 local disasters, processed 1,840 emergency military calls and conducted over 15,000 first aid and water safety classes.

The Red Cross is not a government agency and relies on donations of time and money to do its work. Sign up today for a CPR/first aid or other Red Cross course; give a financial gift that can save the day when the next disaster strikes, or get involved as a volunteer. For more information, visit www.southfloridaredcross.org.

For those who already support the American Red Cross and the work that we do, thank you. For those of you waiting to make a difference in someone’s life, wait no more. Join the American Red Cross today.

Sincerely,
Sam Tidwell
Chief Executive Officer 
American Red Cross South Florida Region

PS - If you're on Twitter, follow us @SFLRedCross and use the following hashtag to stay up to date on the latest news for #RedCrossMonth.

This year, your gifts can save the day

Christmas is almost here. Have you got your gifts ready?

The holiday season reminds us to reflect upon the many gifts we received throughout the year, but also to remember those in need around us. We’ve launched this year’s Give Gifts that Save the Day holiday giving campaign, giving you the chance to make a difference in the life of someone in need.

Why Should I Give to the Red Cross?

Through our online catalog at SouthFloridaRedCross.org, or TuCruzRoja.org, you can make a donation that could help a soldier make an emergency call home; ensure a young child get the vaccine he needs to survive; or provide a month of basic necessities for a family in another country who lost everything in a disaster.

This is the perfect way to pay tribute to family members, friends or that certain someone who’s hard to buy for. Your loved one will receive a card acknowledging your gift in their honor.

We know that these are difficult times for many families and businesses in South Florida, but we also see that when Americans are in need, America always responds. We’re glad to find out that the results of our new national survey for the American Red Cross show that support for charitable giving remains strong with 72% planning to spend more or about the same in their donations to charity, even as 35% are tightening their belts on holiday gifts. The holiday season is traditionally a time of hope and generosity, and this campaign gives us all a chance to make a difference in someone’s life.

Merry Christmas and have a safe holiday season,

Sam Tidwell

CEO of the American Red Cross South Florida Region

No major hurricanes: Lucky streak hits 5 years for South Florida

November 30 marks the official end of hurricane season and while 19 tropical storms or hurricanes formed this year, we were lucky that no major storm made it to the coast of the United States.

It’s a lucky break that for South Florida has lasted 5 years, something that’s happened only three other times in our history. Unfortunately, that streak is always broken in the sixth year.

A disaster – either man-made or natural – can strike at any time, so we don’t want South Florida residents to let their guard down. We must, all of us, make it our goal to be self-sufficient for the first 72-hours following any disaster.

At the South Florida Red Cross, disasters keep us busy. We respond to 500 disasters a year – that’s almost two a day. So while the "BIG" one didn't hit us, the big one does happen every day to a family that loses their home because of a disaster, such as a house fire.

And often, the wake of a disaster, we are often asked “What can I do to help?”

The Red Cross Holiday Catalog is a great way for our community to purchase the gifts that truly will make a difference this holiday season for people in need. You can help purchase phone cards for service men and women serving overseas, infant care kits for youngsters who stay at Red Cross shelters and life-saving Measles vaccinations. No matter what Red Cross initiative you choose to support, you will be giving the gift of hope.

Have a happy and safe holiday season,

Luis Avila

Regional Officer, Emergency Services

American Red Cross South Florida Region

Wings Over Homestead Air show a treat for veterans, volunteers alike

As we waited at the BX Mart parking lot to be driven to the Homestead Air Reserve Base, the planes’ engine made such a racket that made us lose our breath for a second. We could not help but look up and turn our heads left and then right, one, two, and three times, boom! We knew the afternoon at the practice run for the Wings Over Homestead Air Show was going to be fun.

Lori Tompkins, who works at the South Dade Branch of the Red Cross, drove us into the base, and there they were -- planes small, big and huge -- in the air and all lined up on the tarmac waiting to be admired. While the younger spectators were amazed by the aerobatics [as we were too], an audience of national heroes was silently enjoying the event.

No clouds  -- just a clear blue sky -- made the perfect afternoon to commemorate the service of these injured veterans thanks to the efforts of base personnel along with the Red Cross, who hosted the veterans from the VA Hospital. More than an air show, it was a day that evoked the veteran’s past time when they were serving the country.

We don’t know how many battles they fought in or what experiences they’ve been through. But we could tell from their faces, the pride they felt from the very bottom of their hearts in serving their country. No one wanted to interrupt these heroes while they were peacefully enjoying the air show featuring local F-16 pilots and the Navy's Blue Angels.

With the last Blue Angles landing on the runway, our heartbeats finally slowed down to normal and our thoughts were drawn back to reality.  Veterans were gathered in front of a nearby booth to learn more about services and programs that were offered to them by other organizations. The Veterans were also asked to sign a special painting to commemorate that day. 

As communications interns at the Red Cross, events like this one, indeed fulfill our spirit to keep serving the community and make our work more enjoyable and fun. It makes you feel so proud to be a Red Crosser and do what we can to better the world. 

Linda Li & Alexa Sandoval

Tavernier Taste Something Red shows community support for the Red Cross

Thursday night’s wine-tasting event in Tavernier was a beautiful and relaxing evening with magician Michael Trixx, great food from Tasters Grille, and wonderful silent auction items. We recruited new volunteers, sold First Aid kits to help people stay safe, and very tentatively discussed our relief at a quiet hurricane season here.

One of the best parts of these kinds of events, especially in small communities, is the way you can really see and feel the support for the Red Cross. Elected officials, business leaders and nonprofit agency partners all came out for conversation and pumpkin beer.

We are truly fortunate to be able to serve the residents in the Florida Keys, and we appreciate the ongoing community support for our volunteers and their continuing work in disaster relief. Even when we have few hurricane responses, people know that they can count on the Red Cross to be ready to help in any kind of disaster.

JB Hunt
Chapter Advancement Officer
American Red Cross

Red Cross volunteers help Miami woman affected by fire

I just left the scene of a fire where the Red Cross Disaster Action Team was helping a Miami woman who pretty much lost everything Tuesday night.

She was telling me how she was trying to rush back home to meet her husband because they were waiting for some paperwork that needed to be signed right away. As the day passed, she tried calling her husband but couldn't reach him. Got voicemail every time.

When she rounded the corner to get to her apartment building, fire trucks lined the street and a neighbor broke the bad news: Her apartment caught fire. Her two dogs died. Her husband was being taken to the hospital.

Red Cross volunteers Pauline Holmes (left) and Cherlynette Evans (right) provide assistance to a Miami woman who lost her belongings and her pets in a fire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Standing outside her apartment building today, you could see that this fire is not something this woman will soon forget.

It's never easy losing your belongings. Especially not the books she and her husband treasured. Or the dog that's been a part of your life for eight years and just had her first litter of puppies.

But that's why the Red Cross is there. Disaster Action Team Leader Cherlynette Evans and DAT Trainee Pauline Holmes were able to provide the woman with help for food, clothing and lodging. They can't possibly take away all the pain, but they do make things better.

-Chrystian Tejedor

American Red Cross

You can help people affected by local disasters like this fire or national disasters by clicking here to donate or clicking here to become a Red Cross volunteer.