The ideas and deepest sympathies of your entire American Red Cross household are with the Uvalde neighborhood and all these affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. The American Red Cross is coordinating with emergency officers to offer consolation and assist now.

The Red Cross continues to work alongside different neighborhood organizations on the bottom in Texas in addition to nationwide companions to make sure that fast wants are being met, to incorporate offering assist for a household help heart and a number of other memorial websites. More than 30 skilled Red Cross volunteers are onsite offering psychological well being, well being providers and non secular care assist to households who’ve suffered unimaginable loss and to these in the neighborhood who’ve additionally skilled emotional trauma.

Red Cross providers to the neighborhood will proceed within the coming days as we transition from the household help heart to extra long-term resilience assist.

We perceive that folks across the nation wish to assist, and we respect that assist. Right now, the Red Cross has what it wants to reply to this tragedy. We aren’t accepting monetary or different donations designated particularly for this occasion. Also, we can not settle for donations of stuffed animals, clothes, blankets or different gadgets; please contact an area group — equivalent to a faith-based group, kids’s hospital or ladies’s shelter — to see if they’re able to settle for such donations.

While we don’t usually serve hospitals on this space of Texas, the Red Cross stands prepared to offer blood and blood merchandise as wanted in response to this tragedy. Volunteer blood donors are wanted each day to assist save lives. This tragedy illustrates that it’s the blood already on the cabinets that helps throughout an emergency.

COPING AND PREPAREDNESS TIPS

This is a tough time for everybody and it’s essential for folks to attach with and assist one another. If you or a beloved one wants assist, attain out by way of the Disaster Distress Helpline at no cost 24/7 assist by calling 800-985-5990 or texting TALKWITHUS to 66746.

Events like this could trigger emotions of uncertainty and anxiousness since nobody is aware of what may probably occur subsequent. Remember that it is OK to really feel nervous. Be affected person with your self and others. It’s widespread to have any variety of momentary stress reactions equivalent to anger, frustration and anxiousness.

Stay knowledgeable however restrict media publicity of the occasions. Spend extra time with household and associates, look ahead to indicators of stress, supply your assist and hear to at least one one other. Don’t neglect to maintain your self. Eat wholesome, drink water and get sufficient relaxation.

Children are affected by tragedies and, identical to adults, their reactions can differ. How a baby reacts will rely upon their age, earlier experiences and the way they usually address stress.

Children might also react, partially, to what they see from the adults round them. When mother and father reply calmly and confidently, they will present higher assist. Parents ought to let kids discuss their fears whereas reassuring them about their security. Talk with them in ways in which they will simply perceive. Let them information the dialog; share particulars solely after they ask about them.

Limit publicity to information protection of the occasion as kids are particularly weak to emphasize reactions associated to media.

This tragedy reveals that emergencies can occur in any neighborhood at any time. And it’s important to know what to do when an emergency happens. Even as first responders rush into assist, a lot of the preliminary care after an emergency could also be supplied by folks close by.

Consider registering for a Red Cross first help course at redcross.org as a way to be higher ready to assist in future emergencies. People may obtain the free Red Cross First Aid app that places free and easy lifesaving data in your arms. The app is on the market in app shops by trying to find “American Red Cross.  

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