Red Cross in Utah Responds to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami

Red Cross In Utah Responds to Japan Earthquake and Tsunami--The Utah Region of the American Red Cross has organized to assist following a magnitude 8.9 earthquake in Japan and the resulting tsunami that affected other countries in the pacific region.

"Our hearts go out to the people of Japan as they begin the process of recovery," said Maxine Margaritis, CEO of the American Red Cross Utah Region.

With potential danger headed to the west coast of the United States, Red Cross chapters are on alert and Utah's highly-trained Red Cross volunteers stand ready to provide assistance as needed in coordination with local and federal response partners. Red cross warehouses in Saipan (Northern Mariana Islands), California, Washington and Hawaii are mobilizing resources; and approximately 100 mobile feeding vehicles are on standby. Evacuation shelters are open with additional locations on standby in Oregon, Washington and California.

The Red Cross can now accept donations to benefit disaster relief efforts for the Japan earthquake and the Pacific Tsunami. Your gift to the American Red Cross will support our disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and Tsunami throughout the Pacific. On those rare occasions when donations exceed American Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. To make a donation, go to www.utahredcross.org and donate to Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami. People can also text REDCROSS.org to 90999 to make a $10 donation to help those affected by the earthquake in Japan and tsunami throughout the Pacific.

The Japanese Red Cross Society has extraordinary disaster response capabilities, and has mobilized eleven teams to heavily damaged communities, to provide assessments and first aid and prepare to supply emotional support and relief. The American Red Cross is in communication through its global partners with the Pacific nations that sustained the most damage, and stands ready to provide assistance as needed.

About the American Red Cross In Utah
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. Last year the Red Cross in Utah responded to 139 emergencies, many of them rendering multiple families homeless. The Red Cross is a charitable organization--not a government agency--and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit www.utahredcross.org.