It took them five days, but the Red Cross finally got around to
announcing the familylinks missing/found persons database five days
after the hurricane, and three days after the database was actually set
up. FEMA also started linking to it. Needless to say, their collection
of names has grown dramatically because of it.
http://www.redcross.org/pressrelease/0,1077,0_314_4521,00.html
AMERICAN RED CROSS ANNOUNCES FAMILY LINKING AVAILABLE VIA
WWW.REDCROSS.ORG
*WASHINGTON, Friday, September 02, 2005* — The American Red Cross, with
support of the worldwide Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, is
launching a Web site to help assist family members who are seeking news
about loved ones living in the path of Hurricane Katrina. Visit the
“Family Links Registry” via www.redcross.org <http://www.redcross.org>
to register yourself, a missing relative or view the existing list of
registrants.
Evacuees wishing to inform loved ones of their location can register
their name by clicking on “Family Links Registry” on www.redcross.org
<http://www.redcross.org>. Concerned loved ones can register the names
of their loved ones and view the list of those already posted. Due to
the extent of the damage and the number of people displaced, concerned
friends and family members are encouraged to visit the site daily to
consult the list, as it will be updated continuously. A toll-free
hotline is being established for those who do not have internet access.
During the unprecedented hurricane season of last year, with four
hurricanes in just six weeks, the American Red Cross received more than
300,000 phone calls — most coming from people looking for missing loved
ones. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, loved ones across America and
around the world are again turning to the Red Cross for help.
The American Red Cross is dedicated as an organization to
re-establishing family links. In order to expedite this process, we have
tapped into the capacity of the International Committee of Red Cross
(ICRC), whose experience in connecting families separated by disaster or
armed conflict is unsurpassed. As Americans give to the international
community during times of crisis, the international community is now
giving back.
The Family Links Web site is a voluntary, self-registration system. The
American Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC) have no means of verifying the information posted. As it is a
public site, information posted is not confidential.
The American Red Cross, in partnership with the Department of Homeland
Security, FEMA, governmental and non-profit agencies, is part of a
monumental response to this disaster. As we all work to assist victims
of this catastrophic event, the Red Cross is there to address the basic
needs of those affected. As a team, we are working to alleviate the
anxiety of those searching for news of their loved ones.
All American Red Cross disaster assistance is free, made possible by
voluntary donations of time and money from the American people. You can
help the victims of this disaster and thousands of other disasters
across the country each year by making a financial gift to the American
Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund, which enables the Red Cross to provide
shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to those in need. Call
1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish). Contributions to the
Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to your local American Red Cross
chapter or to the American Red Cross, P. O. Box 37243, Washington, DC
20013. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting
www.redcross.org <http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html>.
--
-----------------------------------
Andy Carvin
Program Director
EDC Center for Media & Community
acarvin @ edc . org
http://www.digitaldivide.net
http://katrina05.blogspot.com
Blog: http://www.andycarvin.com
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