The British Red Cross ( http://www.redcross.org.uk/ ) has
launched a new fund that will raise money for victims of
disasters year round and allow the relief agency to
respond to disasters worldwide with increased speed and
efficiency, the BBC reports.

The fund is being launched in the aftermath of the
September 11 terrorist attacks in New York City and
Washington, D.C. -- attacks that prompted an outpouring of
charitable donations worldwide for victims of the attacks.
Officials of the relief agency said the new fund would be
used to respond to catastrophes and disasters as they
happen.

"What we are hearing is that the public wants to help, yet
with the continuing and mounting disasters around the
world, it is often difficult to decide which cause to give
to," said Jeremy Hughes, director of income generation at
the British Red Cross. "People know and trust the Red
Cross and this fund is really saying: 'You can be sure
we'll use your donation to bring help to those whose lives
have been torn apart.'"

"Red Cross Launches Global Disaster Fund." BBC News
12/27/01.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_1731000/1731245.stm