Humanity First to Aid Hurricane Ike Victims

Silver Spring, MD, September 17, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Sunday saw great devastation in Texas and other southern parts of the country when Hurricane Ike made landfall. Sweeping first through the Caribbean and claiming 80 lives, the category 2 storm proceeded into the Gulf, submerging Galveston followed by mainland Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas.

With the rising death toll currently at thirty spread across eight states, Hurricane Ike leaves behind much devastation and despair for survivors. It is estimated that as many as two million people are without electricity. Tap water has been declared as unsafe to drink in cities such as Houston. In Galveston, winds as high as 110 mph have blocked all forms of communication and have left survivors with no gas or food. As shelters fill up in coastal areas and major cities, the shortage in food and water is making the situation increasingly desperate.

Rescuers claim that 2,000 individuals have been saved, but this is only a small portion of those who are in need of help. Many survivors are left wondering where their next meal will come from and how long they can last without electricity or reconstruction of their lost homes.

A first responder team has been dispersed by Humanity First USA to assess the situation on the ground, and is working to transport blankets, sleeping bags, collapsible cots, and clothing items to the devastated areas. Plans are also being drawn for food distribution, as well as establishing a medical camp to serve the needs of survivors without access to hospitals.

Humanity First, USA (http://www.humanityfirst.org), a 501(c) 3- registered charity, is the US chapter of Humanity First International (http://www.humanityfirst.org.uk), which was established in the early 1990's to restore disaster-stricken and under-developed and vulnerable communities around the globe. Humanity First USA is a leading non-profit relief organization whose board of directors, management team, and project staff running the day-to-day operations are all unpaid volunteers with diverse professional backgrounds including business, healthcare, and education sectors. All personal expenses are met by the volunteers to maximize the use of funds raised and donated for those in need. As of today Humanity First USA has expanded to 19 countries worldwide.

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