WER Aids Desperate Wildfire Evacuees
Monday, October 22, 2007
CARLSBAD, CA- Violent wildfires continue to tear across Southern California, even threatening World Emergency Relief's (WER) global headquarters, located in Carlsbad. Over 250,000 people have been evacuated, and 21,000 are without power. 200,000 acres have been destroyed. Joel MacCollam, WER's CEO, expressed his concern about the grave situation; "the explosive fires transformed San Diego into a major disaster area, with growing misery. The potential destruction of thousands of homes, business and jobs is beyond imagination."
WER rose to the challenge, and is working with WER Board member Gary Becks and his local emergency response team. WER is preparing emergency supplies, including food, drinks and hygiene supplies, which will be distributed among evacuees and firefighters.
MacCollam predicts that "unless the winds break, this will be a long, hot and painful week for San Diego and the rest of Southern California." WER will continue to monitor the situation and give aid as needed.
World Emergency Relief is a global family of seven charities sharing a common vision and core values. WER's family works with local and indigenous nonprofit organizations to fight poverty and hunger, and provide relief for disaster victims. WER's vision is "giving children a living chance," by addressing the practical, emotional, spiritual, educational and economic needs of children, their families and their communities.
For more information about World Emergency Relief, please call (760) 930-8001 or (888) HUG-4-KID (toll free). Donations can be sent to: World Emergency Relief, P.O. Box 131570, Carlsbad, CA 92013.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
