Irish Red Cross launches appeal for flood victims

"This is an appalling catastrophe for the people whose homes, livelihoods and lives have been destroyed or damaged by these floods. Our volunteers are already working in the towns and areas most affected and we will gladly accept donations to help them in this work," said Irish Red Cross Vice-Chairman, Tony Lawlor.

"Already we are receiving calls from people around Ireland who have seen our volunteers in action in the areas affected and who want to send donations to fund this work which is most generous of them," he added.

Today’s announcement comes as Irish Red Cross volunteers continue to provide help to victims of floods throughout Ireland. To date Irish Red Cross ambulances in Cork, Galway, Tipperary and Waterford have been working with state agencies to assist victims of the floods.

In Cork today, Irish Red Cross volunteers are working with the Gardaí, delivering meals-on-wheels to people who are stranded in their homes on the north side of Cork City. This follows extensive operations throughout Cork City and affected towns around the county since last Thursday, helping hospital staff reach their workplaces and providing blankets to those affected.

In Galway, two 4x4 ambulances and their crews are available to help in the Ardrahan village area and in Connemara. Red Cross ambulance crews – who are all volunteers – have also been made available to the state to help people in the Tipperary town of Clonmel, should the state emergency services need this additional support.

In Clare, local members of the Irish Red Cross in Ennis distributed blankets to householders.

Make an online donation or please callsave 1850 50 70 70

Notes to Editor

• Interviews with Irish Red Cross spokespersons can be arranged.
• The Irish Red Cross has assisted victims of floods in Ireland on several occasions in the past, most recently when floods struck Nenagh earlier this year and assistance was needed to evacuate nursing homes.
• The Irish Red Cross has focussed on building-up a stock of vehicles that are capable of helping people in floods and other off-road situations, having invested €3.5 million in both off-road ambulances and other vehicles in the last decade.
• There are approximately 6000 members of the Irish Red Cross who are all volunteers serving in local communities in every county in Ireland.