WASHINGTON - The American Red Cross announced that current financial donations and pledges will cover the $2.116 billion estimated cost for its response to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Wilma. This announcement comes just over five months after Hurricane Katrina—the largest and most costly disaster relief operation in the nation’s history. As of Dec. 31, 2005, the Red Cross has spent more than 80 percent of these donated funds.

As a good steward of donated dollars, the Red Cross has a standard practice of informing the public when sufficient funds have been raised to cover the costs associated with a disaster response. In keeping with that commitment, the Red Cross will no longer initiate fundraising activities for these hurricanes. The Red Cross asks donors to support the ongoing needs of hurricane survivors by giving to the countless other charities and non-profit organizations that continue to raise funds for hurricane recovery efforts.*

The generous financial support from around the world allowed more than 225,000 Red Cross disaster relief workers—95 percent of them volunteers—to ensure that survivors had a safe place to stay, food and comfort and the means to provide essential items for themselves and their families. Survivors received counseling, basic healthcare and family connecting services. This was accomplished on an unprecedented scale.

The Red Cross provided:

• More than 3.4 million overnight stays in nearly 1,200 Red Cross shelters
• More than 34 million meals and 30 million snacks
• Emergency financial assistance to more than 1.4 million families—more than 4 million people

For almost 125 years, Americans have trusted and relied on the Red Cross to use their donations to help those in need. The Red Cross is committed to maintaining that hard-earned trust and will continue to keep the public informed of how donations are being used to provide ongoing relief. The most recent information can be found on http://www.redcross.org as well as in detailed stewardship reports.

The public’s continued support is essential to the more than 800 Red Cross chapters that provide lifesaving support in local communities every day. Support of the Disaster Relief Fund is also vital because it enables the Red Cross to respond quickly to large disasters whenever and wherever they strike. Last year, Red Cross chapters responded to a record 73,000 events. Nearly 92 percent were residential fires that went unnoticed nationally, but were hugely significant in the lives of those affected.

Please continue to help your neighbors in need through the American Red Cross by:

• Supporting your local Red Cross chapter
• Donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund
• Scheduling an appointment to donate blood by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE
• Volunteering to support the humanitarian mission of the Red Cross through your local chapter

For more information visit http://www.redcross.org or contact your local Red Cross chapter.

*For a list of some agencies, visit http://www.usafreedomcorps.gov.

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