 FSM donates over $200,000 towards US disaster relief effortsPalikir, Pohnpei (CFSM/FSM Information Service): September 30, 2005 - The Government of the Federated States of Micronesia is donating over US$200,000 to the Micronesian Red Cross Society's to assist recent disasters in the United States. The donation of $210,000 to MCRS is towards the U.S. relief efforts in the aftermath of the recent hurricanes that wreaked havoc across the US Gulf Coast. President Joseph J. Urusemal said that it is FSM's hope that "the financial contributions will be of assistance to the ongoing recovery efforts in the affected areas and especially the citizens of the U.S." The Fourteenth FSM Congress stated that the U.S. has always been quick to lend a hand to the FSM in its time of need, and that it was fitting that the FSM should assist in any way it can to relieve the suffering of the affected populations of the US Gulf Coast in the aftermath of unprecedented destruction from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. To that extend, the Department of Foreign Affairs has announced the following resources centers for FSM citizens with families in the affected areas: Emergency Information Texas (Galveston Emergency Operations Center) 1-409-797-3710 Comprehensive website from the Texas Department of Public Safety: http://www.txdps..state.tx.us/dem/rita_index.htm Louisiana Louisiana State Police hotline: 1-800-469-4828 Locating Family or Friends Salvation Army You may contact the Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN). This network takes inquiries and sends them to the disaster area, where SATERN personnel will attempt to locate the person(s) about whom you are inquiring. American Red Cross (ARC) 1-800-229-8191 The ARC is currently focused on tending to the basic, emergency needs of the affected population, but they are attempting to find individuals who have a pre-existing medical condition such as: insulin dependency, oxygen dependency, on dialysis, blind or seeing impaired, in a wheelchair, broken leg/foot/ankle, bed-ridden, paralyzed, etc. State Department Assistance Temporary Forward Site in Austin, TX 1-512-809-6372 (cell) These are initial contact numbers; other numbers will be provided as they become available. Our mission will include liaison between consulates and state/local authorities, and support of FEMA as necessary |