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THE RED CROSS CAMPS ARE NOW 8 WITH A TOTAL OF 5000 BEDS - MORE THAN 4 MILLION EUROS RAISED

The Italian Red Cross has taken on as of today another two camps: Cagnano Amiterno and Acciano. The total number of beds managed by the It.R.C. is 5000. The mobile kitchen of Acciano will provide meals for the camps of Rocca Preturo, Beffi and Succiano. The other It.R.C. camps are in San Benedetto di Bagno, Assergi, San Gregorio, Collemaggio, Coppito and Centicolella.

Meanwhile, more than 4 million Euros have been raised by the Red Cross for the earthquake: 4.160.808,21 Euros is the sum raised. The appeal is to continue to donate given the enormity of the emergency and that it will take time before life returns to normality. It is possible to donate through the Italian Red Cross website www.cri.it

(Banca Nazionale del Lavoro, cause: ABRUZZO EMERGENCY,

IBAN: IT66C0100503382000000218020).

1000 Red Cross volunteers and operators are now active in the areas hit by the earthquake. 2500 volunteers are on a waiting list ready to leave.

4 playrooms offered by the Ministry for Equal Opportunities, Happy Family Onlus, are run by the Italian Red Cross, with a capacity for 200 children. Inside tables, chairs, footballs, toys, blackboards, games, televisions, videogames and DVDs.

In the camp of Centicolella a Veterinary Unit is operational and to date has had 40 visits. The children have been involved in pet-therapy activities based on animal-man interaction. This Red Cross service, guaranteed by 3 vets and 2 assistants, is the only one available in the camps and is also able to carry out surgery.

The SEP teams for psychosocial support are active and at present close to the families hit by the tragedy. 10 volunteer psychologists and 10 volunteers are providing psychosocial support

For information

Communications Department Italian Red Cross: +39.06.47.59.209 +39.06.47.59.283

Spokesperson for Francesco Rocca, head of the Italian Red Cross:

Tommaso Della Longa +39.320.79.79.485