The American Red Cross responded immediately to the disaster and remains in constant contact with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (Federation) to plan and offer assistance.

Affected Counties: Map

Photo Gallery

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Indonesia	HTML
Sri Lanka	HTML

The American Red Cross

The American Red Cross estimates that it will spend approximately $400 million providing relief to those affected by the December 26 tsunami in Asia and Africa. This two-phased plan calls for immediate emergency relief and long-term response over the months and years to come.

IMMEDIATE RESPONSE STAGE:

For the immediate assistance stage, the American Red Cross will focus on four main areas: food distribution, vaccination and health, relief supplies and water and sanitation. A description of each area follows:

• Food Distribution - The American Red Cross plans to coordinate with other organizations including the United Nation's World Food Program to purchase and distribute culturally appropriate food like rice, noodles, lentils and canned fish for more than 2 million people in Sri Lanka, Indonesia and the Maldives for six months.
• Emergency Water and Sanitation - Using our highly trained specialists, the American Red Cross will provide mass numbers of disaster victims with safe drinking water, water for sanitation purposes and safe waste disposal systems.
• Vaccination and Healthcare - The threat of disease is significant, and the American Red Cross will work in partnership with organizations like UNICEF and the World Health Organization in a massive measles immunization and health intervention campaign for as many as 22 million children in affected countries. This could also include distributing polio vaccines and malaria protections along with Vitamin A.
• Relief Supplies - Over the next six months, the American Red Cross will distribute emergency supplies like tents, cooking supplies, hygiene kits and more to the millions who need help.

LONG-TERM RESPONSE STAGE:

Based on a long history of providing relief to catastrophic international disasters, the American Red Cross recognizes that assisting over the long term is a vital part of helping disaster-plagued areas. During this multi-year stage, the focus will be providing food and preventing disease, along with working to better prepare communities for future disasters.

• Providing Food and Preventing Disease - Beyond the initial stages, the overall recovery of affected countries depends on long-ranging guidance and assistance in many areas. This includes setting up and rehabilitating water and sanitation systems, providing mental health counseling for survivors, operating additional food programs as needed and working to ensure community health.
• Prevention Measures in Countries - The American Red Cross will work to train and inform affected communities in prevention methods in order to reduce the loss of life, livelihoods and property from future natural disasters and build capacity in family reunification.

The Indian Red Cross Society

Indian Red Cross Society

The Indonesian Red Cross Society

Indonesian Red Cross Society

The Malaysian Red Crescent Society

Malaysian Red Crescent Society

The Seychelles Red Cross Society

Seychelles Red Cross Society

The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society

Sri Lanka Red Cross Society

The Thai Red Cross Society

Thai Red Cross Society Individuals seeking loved ones can access the International Committee of the Red Cross Family Links web site found at: www.familylinks.icrc.org.

Inquiries concerning U S Citizens should contact:

• U S Department of State Office of Overseas Citizens Services - Phone Number: 888/407-4747

Inquiries concerning Non - U S Citizens should contact:

• India Ministry of External Affairs - Phone Number: 011-91-11-2301
• Indonesia Ministry of Social Welfare - Phone Number: 011-62-21-345-3676
• Sri Lanka Foreign Ministry - Phone Number: 011-94-11-243-7061
• Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Phone Number: 011-66-2-643-5262

Threat	Format
Understanding Tsunamis
Tsunami Hazard Zone	HTML
Tsunami Preparedness Zone	HTML
Understanding Earthquakes
Earthquake Hazard Zone	HTML
Earthquake Preparedness Zone	HTML

You 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 send your gift to:

International Response Fund
Capital Area Chapter
American Red Cross
187 Office Plaza Drive
Tallahassee Florida 32301