Tsunami aid effort puts local Red Cross in the hole

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, January 26, 2005

The outpouring of donations following the Dec. 26 tsunamis in south Asia was so great that American Red Cross officials say they now have enough money to pay for their international relief work, including replacing water systems and providing food and medical care to thousands of victims.

Now, officials with the Snohomish County chapter of the American Red Cross say they hope people will remember the needs of those struck by tragedy closer to home.

A higher than usual number of recent local emergencies, plus a shift from local to national donations due to the tsunamis, has put the local chapter about $40,000 behind in its budget, said Chuck Morrison, executive director of the county chapter.

Overall, about $1.2 billion was donated or pledged worldwide for the tsunami relief efforts of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

On Wednesday, American Red Cross officials in Washington, D.C., announced that amount was sufficient for both the immediate and long-term relief needs of tsunami survivors.

The American Red Cross has received $236 million for tsunami work. With additional pledges and unsolicited donations, that total is expected to rise to $325 million.

Locally, $65,000 was donated to the Red Cross for tsunami work, and that number continues to grow daily, Morrison said.

The tsunamis hit just as letters were being sent out asking for donations to support the Snohomish County chapter, Morrison said.

About one-third of the checks from supporters who previously had donated to the local chapter were earmarked for tsunami relief efforts, Morrison said.

In 2004, the annual fund drive raised $75,000, he said. Of the $83,000 raised this year, about 40 percent was designated for tsunami relief. The chapter’s budget this year is $1.1 million.

American Red Cross officials were sensitive to the need to tell people they had raised enough money to carry out the agency’s international tsunami relief plan, Morrison said, after questions were raised over how donations were spent following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

“Clearly, the American citizens told the Red Cross, ‘When you have enough money, tell us don’t send any more money in.’ We’re doing that,” Morrison said.

The local chapter’s dip in donations is part of a trend reported by other chapters across the nation following the tsunamis, with drops in local support of 35 percent to 60 percent, Morrison said.

“It’s very understandable in an organization with a local, national and international focus,” he said. “When an event of this magnitude takes place, everyone’s thoughts, prayers and contributions go to a natural disaster we hope we’ll only experience once in our lifetime.”

During an average month, the local chapter assists seven to eight families affected by fires. In December, it responded to 13 fires affecting 18 families, he said.

Local families who lost their homes due to fire are assisted with a place to stay, food and clothing. The tab helping families who lost their homes in December is expected to cost $27,000, about double the typical monthly cost, Morrison said.

Reporter Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com.