Red Cross President Visits Flooded Regions...( VILLAHERMOSA Mexico Nov. 9 -- Th...),Health

VILLAHERMOSA, Mexico, Nov. 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The President of the American Red Cross saw first hand the devastation in the flooded regions of Southern Mexico. At the invitation of the Mexican Red Cross President, he was invited to observe relief efforts for the people of the state of Tabasco. The President of the Mexican Red Cross and the Governor of the State of Tabasco accompanied Everson on the tour of the devastation.

"It's as if 70 percent of the state of Vermont was under water. You just see treelines where the roads should be," said Mark W. Everson, President of the American Red Cross. "The waters are receding slowly, tens of thousands of people will need significant long term relief, and we're prepared to help the Mexican Red Cross with this effort."

Even though the rescue phase is complete, 70 percent of the state of Tabasco is still flooded, and the waters are not expected to recede for another 2-3 weeks. The efforts of the Red Cross response are now focusing on providing food, drinking water and supporting shelters to help people stay healthy and provide a roof over their head until they can return to their homes.

"We need each other," said Daniel Goni Diaz, President of the Mexican Red Cross regarding the American Red Cross and the Mexican Red Cross. "When the American Red Cross needed help with the wildfires in Southern California, we came. And, when we asked for American Red Cross assistance to respond to these floods, you came."

The American Red Cross is responding to the emergency relief efforts of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and the Mexican Red Cross by providing more than $500,000 in financial assistance and supplies. This includes $250,000 in partnership with USAID's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance. The American Red Cross is also supporting a Spanish speaking international relief worker and is weighing additional response options.

"The American peop
'/>"/>