Irish Red Cross supports appeal for Morocco Earthquake victims

Announcing the launch of the Morocco Earthquake Appeal, the Secretary General of the Irish Red Cross, Carmel Dunne, said that although initial estimates suggest a much lower death toll than the recent earthquake in Iran, this in no way reflects the intense human suffering and hardship which the Red Cross and Red Crescent will seek to alleviate.

"We must do what we can to help people who have lost children, spouses and other family members, as well as their homes, possessions and all the essential support services that are so necessary," said Ms Dunne.

The Irish Red Cross is appealing for people to respond generously to the appeal launched by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) earlier today, for Euro 1.7 million. Already the IFRC have sent a special delegation to support the Moroccan Red Crescent.

The Moroccan Red Crescent continues to assist in the desperate search for survivors and the numbers of dead and injured is expected to rise today as previously inaccessible areas are reached. It has also deployed medical personnel and ambulances to the scene and requested international assistance.

The appeal is based on a preliminary assessment of the needs and aims to provide 1,500 tents, 30,000 blankets, 15,000 mattresses, 6,000 kitchen sets, heaters and food items to the earthquake survivors, thousands of whom slept out in the open last night in fear of after-shocks.

Donations can be made by credit card online at www.redcross.ie or by telephone to CallSave 1850 50 70 70 or by cheque or postal order to: Irish Red Cross Morocco Appeal, 16 Merrion Square, Dublin 2.

Ends.