Red Cross Helps Find Relatives in Salvador

The Orange County chapter of the American Red Cross is accepting calls from local residents trying to find out about loved ones in El Salvador in the aftermath of the recent 7.6-magnitude earthquake there.

Those with immediate family members in El Salvador can call (714) 481-5300 to initiate disaster welfare inquiries. The Red Cross, which can help locate family members who are non-U.S. citizens, is asking people to call after they have tried regular channels of communication.

Callers will need to provide the relative’s last known address along with information on an alternate family member or contact person. All calls are free.

The Red Cross also continues to seek donations to help victims of this and other disasters.

Contributions can be made to the American Red Cross International Response Fund by calling (800) 435-7669 (HELP-NOW). Spanish speakers can call (800) 257-7575. Donations can also be mailed to the Orange County Red Cross, P.O. Box 11364, Santa Ana, CA 92711-1364, or made online at https://www.oc-redcross.org. Donors can earmark their contributions for the Central America Earthquake Relief.

Agency officials said the Red Cross is serving 100,000 earthquake victims in El Salvador, providing drinking water, hygienic supplies and other relief materials, as well as mental health assistance and a communication center from which victims can call families outside the disaster area.