Red Cross coordinates relief effort for tsunami aftermath

The Daily Inter Lake

Flathead Valley residents wishing to send financial relief aid to countries in southern Asia affected by devastating tsunamis can do so through the local office of the American Red Cross.

Checks or money orders should be made out to the American Red Cross International Response Fund if donors want their contributions to go directly to that relief effort, said Rick Cunningham, director of the Northwest Montana Chapter of the Red Cross.

Contributions can be sent to the Red Cross, 17A First Ave. E., Kalispell, MT 59901.

The Red Cross is not able to accept donations of personal-care items or any type of in-kind donations, Cunningham said. Donations of money are the best form of assistance.

International Red Cross chapters are mobilizing staffers and volunteers to help with immediate needs in Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, Thailand and other countries hit hard by the tidal waves from a 9.0-magnitude earthquake that hit Sunday off the coast of Indonesia.

Emergency assessment and first-aid teams have already reached some of the affected areas, according to the Red Cross Web site at www.redcross.org.