Experts Sent to Aid Mexico Quake Victims
A delegation of emergency experts from Los Angeles will be sent to Mexico to help victims of the magnitude 7.5 Puerto Angel earthquake and study the disaster’s effects.
Under a proposal introduced by Councilman Alex Padilla, the City Council voted unanimously Friday to send police, fire, transportation and other city workers to the state of Oaxaca.
“The city of Los Angeles will be sending its top emergency experts to Oaxaca to assist ongoing efforts by the Red Cross and other agencies to help the people of Mexico to recover from this natural disaster,” Padilla said.
“I also have asked the city to study and observe the Oaxaca earthquake in order to improve our own disaster preparedness efforts here in Los Angeles. Since we live in an earthquake-prone environment, public safety is of the highest concern.”
The American Red Cross has committed $100,000 to the Mexican Red Cross to help with relief efforts.
The organization also sent a planeload of plastic sheeting, comfort kits and other relief supplies to Mexico, along with three Red Cross workers from Central America to the area, said spokesman B.V. Castillo.
Donations may be sent to the International Response Fund, in care of the American Red Cross of Greater Los Angeles, 2700 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90057. Donations may also be made by calling (800) HELP-NOW or (800) 257- 7575.
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