Coalition’s Relief Fund to Help Victims of Red Sludge Disaster in Hungary

Washington, DC – Graphic photographs in the international media have stunned and saddened concerned citizens around the world: on October 4, the wall of a reservoir at an alumina plant in northwest Hungary collapsed, unleashing a flood of toxic red sludge that killed 6 people until now and injured more than 120, according to the Hungarian government’s spokesman. Several towns were virtually destroyed, displacing hundreds of residents, who will probably never be able to return home. While its full long-term impact is not yet clear, the event represents a human and environmental disaster affecting not only the immediate region, but the larger ecosystem as well.

redsludge

Source: MTI – Sándor H. Szabó

The Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Hungarian American Coalition (Coalition) has approved the establishment of a “Red Sludge Disaster Relief Fund” to help the victims. Donations to the fund will be used to help the most needy as determined by Hungarian authorities.

This Disaster Relief Fund is established in response to Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has asked Hungarian Americans to contribute to the relief effort, and who called upon Governor George Pataki to coordinate fundraising efforts in the United States.

Gov. Pataki will spearhead fundraising efforts to benefit the Coalition’s Disaster Relief Fund. The Coalition urges all of their members and other organizations to join this effort and to donate generously, either to the fund established by the Coalition or through the charity of their choice.

Donations to the Coalition’s fund are tax deductible and can be made by sending a check made out to: Hungarian American Coalition – Disaster Relief Fund, to the following address:

Hungarian American Coalition
Red Sludge Disaster Relief Fund
1120 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 280
Washington, DC 20036

Donors who would like to use credit cards can call our office at (202) 296-9505 or (202) 828-8300 or send us a fax at (202) 775-5175 to safely process their donation.

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