Volunteers from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies (IFRC) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have been working around the clock, coordinating efforts with local Red Cross societies in Myanmar and China to ensure that those affected by Cyclone Nargis and earthquake have food, safe drinking water, medical care and other supplies they need to recover.

Restoring Family Links

If you are trying to reach relatives living in China or Myanmar who are citizens, the American Red Cross suggests you keep calling or try contacting other family members who live nearby.

Inquiries concerning U.S. citizens living or traveling in Myanmar should be referred to the U.S. Department of State at 1-888-407-4747.

How to Support the Relief Efforts

Donate to the International Response Fund

You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need.

To make a donation:

 Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish)

 Make a secure, online donation.

 Mail a Donation to Box 88711, Milwaukee, WI  53288-0711. 

The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate a donation for a specific disaster, please do so at the time of donation.

NOTE: The Red Cross has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for its effective use of donations.

Become A Volunteer

In response to this disaster, Red Cross societies in China and Myanmar are currently relying on its existing volunteer base to deliver relief to survivors and, therefore, the American Red Cross does not have plans to deploy personnel to the disaster site at this time. Well-meaning individuals are urged not to report directly to the affected areas.

We do, however, have opportunities for volunteers and employees to respond to domestic disasters, such as the recent tornadoes and daily house fires. 

Visit our Volunteer Now page.

About Donations of Goods or Collected Items

Unsolicited, spontaneous donations of goods and services from individuals and community groups, though well intentioned, have hidden costs and pose a number of complications for relief efforts. For these reasons, the Red Cross is not able to accept any large collections of items, such as used clothing, hygiene items, furniture, toys, and canned goods. Nor are we able to accept small, individual donations of these items.

If you represent a company wishing to offer supplies in bulk, please use our Contact Us form.

For more information about relief efforts, please visit the American Red Cross website, or one of our international societies, icrc.org or ifrc.org.