The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, based in Geneva, has announced that the $1.2 billion pledged worldwide in the thirty days since an earthquake-triggered tsunami devastated coastal regions bordering the Indian Ocean is sufficient to meet the costs of its tsunami relief program.

Following the federation's lead, the Washington, D.C.-based American Red Cross has announced that current contributions and pledges, which now total more than $236 million, will be sufficient to carry out its plans to assist survivors of the disaster. All donations made to the American Red Cross International Response Fund between December 26, 2004, and January 31, 2005, as well as funds designated for tsunami relief, will be used to support tsunami relief and reconstruction efforts.

"The American Red Cross, as part of the worldwide Red Cross movement, has witnessed one of the greatest demonstrations of compassion and support in its one-hundred-twenty-four-year history," said president and CEO Marsha J. Evans. "We are honored and inspired that so many Americans have confidence in the American Red Cross to turn their care and compassion into action."

Those who wish to provide additional support for tsunami relief will find a list of organizations engaged in tsunami relief efforts at: http://fdncenter.org/pnd/tsunami/.

Additional contributions to the American Red Cross should be made to either its domestic Disaster Relief Fund or its International Response Fund, which provides assistance to those affected by disasters and humanitarian crises around the world.