Alexandria, VA – Islamic Relief USA has deployed its Disaster Response Team (DRT) to assist in emergency response operations stemming from the wildfires that have engulfed much of Redding, California. The organization will also distribute $100,000 in cash cards to families who’ve suffered property damage.
“Our Disaster Response Team is currently on the ground to support response efforts to the wildfires,” said DRT Manager Hani Hamwi. “We have made a commitment to help the residents of Redding, California, and help them recover from this catastrophic fire.”
The DRT is currently stationed at a local shelter set up at Shasta College, located at 11555 Old Oregon Trail. There, team members and volunteers will assist in various shelter operations, distributing food, providing psycho-social care, helping provide room for people to sleep, among other needs.
The largest wildfire, known as the Carr Fire, was sparked by a vehicle’s mechanical failure on Monday, July 23. As of Wednesday, August 1, the fire had engulfed some 100,000 acres and destroyed more than 1,000 homes.
Almost 40,000 residents were evacuated in the area. Once the evacuation orders are lifted, residents will be able to return to their homes to assess if they incurred any damages. Eventually, Hamwi said local assistance centers will open to provide residents who suffered property damage the financial assistance through the cash card program. Proper casework and documentation will be required to expedite the process.
MEDIA CONTACT
Syed M. Hassan
media@irusa.org
(703) 370-7246
(571) 421-7032
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Islamic Relief USA, based in Alexandria, Va., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. Its mission is to alleviate suffering, hunger, illiteracy and disease regardless of color, race, gender or creed, and to provide aid in a compassionate and dignified manner. Islamic Relief USA aims to provide rapid relief in the event of human and natural disasters and to establish sustainable local development projects, allowing communities to better help themselves. Its programs benefit millions of people each year around the world, including in the United States.
Islamic Relief USA meets all of the Standards for Charity Accountability of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, a national charity monitoring group affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system. Islamic Relief USA is on the U.S. government’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity list, and it is also a signatory to the code of conduct of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.