Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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August 26, 2007

Red Cross Appeals for Victims of Hurricane Dean
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=18FD21D:A6F02AD83191E16077C3A5DF5C2EDF749574F7DCC14957C0 Dean whipped
through six Caribbean islands before tearing into Mexico's Yucatan
Peninsula, killing 11





Man walks past debris at the beach of Tecolutla after the passing of
Hurricane Dean in Veracruz, southern Mexico, 23 Aug 2007The
International Federation Of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is
urgently appealing for $1.3 million to help 35,000 people affected by
Hurricane Dean. Lisa Schlein reports for VOA from Red Cross
headquarters in Geneva the Swiss agency says more appeals are likely
as the hurricane season progresses.

Hurricane Dean is the first hurricane of this year's Atlantic storm
season. It has left a trail of death and destruction in the Caribbean.
Anna Nelson, a Red Cross spokeswoman, says this is creating a great
deal of anxiety among the residents of these beautiful, but vulnerable
islands.

"What must be most difficult is knowing that this is the first storm
of the season. That there could and are likely to be others to come,"
she said. "I am sure that there is a sense of relief that they have
weathered the worst of this storm and what was a very severe storm.
But, I think in general knowing that this could happen again,
certainly is not easy for people and, I know, creates a lot of
anxiety."

Dean reached Category 5, the strongest type of hurricane. It whipped
through six Caribbean islands in mid-August before tearing into
Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, near the border with Belize. Eleven people
were reportedly killed.

The fierce winds tore roofs off buildings and uprooted trees, flooded
streets, damaged houses and destroyed agricultural crops. The full
extent of the damage is not yet known. But, the United Nations
estimates that the island of Martinique alone suffered losses of
around $200 million.

Although the damage has been extensive, Anna Nelson says it could have
been a lot worse had the volunteer Red Cross Societies not been well
prepared for the disaster.

"We saw many thousands of people evacuated. The Red Cross was involved
in making sure that even radio messages were going out to warn people
in indigenous languages so that the system really was in place to make
sure people were in safe shelters when the storm struck," added
Nelson.  "And, to provide them as well with food and blankets and the
things they needed if they were not able to return to their homes. So,
we need to make sure that that same level of preparedness is in place
next time."

The Red Cross says farming and fishing communities are among the
hardest hit and will need help to regain their livelihoods. Other
essential needs include water purification tablets to prevent sickness
from contaminated water, blankets and sheets and mosquito repellent.


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