By now you have probably seen the images and heard the stories about Sunday's killer tsunami in South and East Asia. As of tonight the death toll stands at an incredible 114,000 and those on the ground expect that number to climb. And even with thousands dead and millions more in need of help, the disaster may still seem like a world away leaving many Belizeans feeling helpless. But the Red Cross says you can help. While no official local appeal has been launched, Belize Red Cross president Karen Diaz made a personal appeal for Belizeans to assist relief efforts with financial contributions. And if you are wondering how much will help? Well Diaz says every little from 50 cents and up will count.
Karen Diaz, President - Belize Red Cross
"Due to the sheer magnitude of the disaster, the easiest and fastest way that Belizeans can help is log on to the international federation website which is http://www.ifrc.org and on the first page of that website there is a link on how you can donate directly to the international federation. That is the quickest and fastest way."
Keith Swift,
So we are hearing that the most urgent needs are body bags and sanitary water, but we being all the way here in Belize it wouldn't be much help for us to try and send those so are you asking for only financial assistance?
Karen Diaz,
"Yes and in fact one of the most critical things needed in this time is actually hard cold cash. It sounds cold indeed but that's the easiest way to get the help, the right help to the needed areas in the quickest and most efficient manner."
Keith Swift,
For Belizeans looking at the magnitude of this disaster and might be thinking that whatever they can give won't help, what would you say? Is there too little that anyone can give?
Karen Diaz,
"No and in fact if everybody in the world were to give $1 or 50cents then how much money would you have? So definitely there is no too small amount that can be given. Every dollar counts and the amount of things that can be done with a small amount of money once they're all group together in one pool is absolutely amazing. The International Red Cross is a global community and I think this world is shrinking and shrinking and we are all members of one family now. Remember in our hard times when we have had hurricanes or flood, the international community has come to our aid, in particular the international federation. So this is the way we can give back in return by giving whatever small amount to the federation so that they can get back to the needed areas and help those that are so devastated by this. I mean 114,000 is like half our population wiped out completely and that doesn't compare to the sickness and illness that will be coming forward out of this tragedy."
If you don't have access to a computer, the Red Cross' office on Gabourel Lane will re-open on Monday and you can make financial contributions there. Our local Red Cross is also part of a family tracing program whereby they are helping families locate relatives in the affected countries. Family tracing is available on the international federation's at http://www.ifrc.org.
