Nearly one year since the September 11 attacks, the Red Cross today released a comprehensive report detailing the aid provided to 55,000 people most directly affected, acknowledging the generosity of thousands of donors, and honoring the work of tens of thousands of Red Cross volunteers. The report also provides personal insights into the tragedy and recovery through the personal stories of several victims, their families, volunteers and donors.
"The tragedies of September 11 revealed human nature at its worst, but the response has shown America and the world community at its best," said Marsha J. Evans, President and CEO of the American Red Cross. "Thanks to tens of thousands of volunteers and millions of donors, we have been able to make the recovery of those affected by the attacks our top priority. Today, we remember those who lost their lives and suffered so much. At the same time, we continue to aid those in need and prepare for future disasters."
The Red Cross report says that the Liberty Disaster Relief Fund has received more than $1 billion dollars in receipts in the year since the attacks, an extraordinary sum by any charitable standard. The report projects that the Red Cross will have distributed $643 million dollars to help those most directly affected by the attacks by the one year anniversary. Another $200 million is projected to be distributed by year's end, depending on the pace of responses from families to Red Cross programs, and the processing and verification of necessary documentation. The report estimates that the more than 3,000 families of the deceased and seriously injured will receive an average of $115,000, assuming they accept all available assistance from the Red Cross.
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Most of the balance, approximately $133 million, will be spent over the next three to five years to help families with long term needs including health care, mental health and family support services.
The distribution of funds follows a plan developed in consultation with Senator George Mitchell, former U.S. Senate Majority Leader, who serves as the Independent Overseer of the Liberty Fund. The plan was initially developed in January based on input from families affected by the disasters, public officials and other charities, and has been updated as donations continued to increase the size of the Fund. The Liberty Fund is maintained as a separate, segregated account and, under policies announced last November, all of the funds will be spent to help families most directly affected by the tragedies.
"As Independent Overseer of the Liberty Disaster Relief Fund, I have met with dozens of the victims of the terror of September 11: families who lost loved ones, people who lost their health, some who lost their homes, their jobs, their livelihoods," said Senator Mitchell. "I believe the Liberty Fund has made an extraordinary effort to meet the needs of those who suffered losses, honor the intent of the donors, and provide assistance in a manner consistent with the mission and traditions of the Red Cross. It is an honor for me to be associated with the Liberty Fund and the American Red Cross."
Since the tragedies, the Red Cross also provided more than 14 million meals, mental health services for 237,000 people and health services for 131,000 people. The organization estimates that it will provide mental health services for 16,000 people over the next five years through its September 11 Recovery Program.
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A full copy of the report, "September 11, 2001: Unprecedented Events, Unprecedented Response -- A Review of the American Red Cross' Response in the Past Year" is available at the American Redcross Homepage at redcross.org
The American Red Cross is dedicated to saving lives, easing suffering and restoring hope at home and around the world. Currently operating on a budget of $3 billion, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to the victims of more than 67,000 disasters nationwide and has been the primary supplier of lifesaving blood and blood products in the United States for more than 50 years. In 2000, the Red Cross also trained almost 12 million people in vital lifesaving skills, provided direct health services to nearly 2.6 million people and delivered more than 21 million locally relevant community services. The organization also assisted international disaster and conflict victims in close to 40 locations around the globe, and its emergency communication centers processed 1.2 million calls in support of U.S. military service members and their families.
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