The recent earthquake in India is a tragedy whose effects have stretched far beyond India’s borders.

Gov. George Ryan recently announced that the State of Illinois and the Red Cross are joining together to set up a special relief effort that will allow Illinois residents to support the relief work in India. The earthquake killed thousands and left tens of thousands more injured and homeless.

“Nearly 20 thousand people have died as a result of this quake, and the numbers are likely to go even higher,” Ryan said. “The injured and homeless deserve as much help as they can get, and we have a responsibility to try to get them that help. That’s why we’re teaming up with Red Cross.”

Unfortunately, the Charleston/Mattoon local branch of Red Cross does not have any volunteers qualified enough to travel to India and help the victims of the earthquake. However, its main goal is raising money to send to India and help the relief effort.

“Our goal is to raise money,” said Anita Sego, executive director of Mattoon’s chapter of Red Cross. “Essentially our job is to raise money,” she said.

Sego and her volunteers at Red Cross, along with marketing professionals, put together promotional commercials that air on local radio stations telling about the Red Cross’s need for money and how money can be donated. People who want to donate can also call 1-800-HELP-NOW for information on donating money to India and other international efforts.

The reason the local chapter is not able to send any volunteers to India is because there are currently only three trained Disaster Service Human Resources volunteers.

Sego encouraged all Eastern students to become volunteers for the local Red Cross branch and become a Disaster Service Human Resources volunteer.

“We’re really trying to get students involved,” Sego said.

To become Disaster Service Human Resources qualified, an Introduction to Disaster course must be completed along with another disaster course from which there are many to choose from. The two courses are offered through the Charleston/Mattoon branch. The Introduction to Disaster class consists of watching an approximate two-hour movie and the completing of a workbook.

After the completion of the two classes, an application for Disaster Service Human Resources must be filled out and sent to the Illinois State Red Cross headquarters in Chicago. After the qualifications for Disaster Service Human Resources are met, a volunteer must work up the ladder of national disasters before they are able to help with an international effort.

“Before you can go anywhere internationally, you have to have to work on lots of natural disasters at the local and national level,” Sego said. “We want to develop volunteers, but we don’t want you to think you can walk in and fly to India.”

Sego said there are five volunteers trying to reach Disaster Service Human Resources status, but many never help at the national level because they have plans for careers and families in the near future.

“I think it would be really great to work internationally after my kids are grown,” Sego said. “It’s a wonderful way to see the world, and the Red Cross pays all your expenses.”

Sego said volunteers who train at the Charleston/Mattoon branch of Red Cross can volunteer anywhere in the state or nation. For example, if students train at the Charleston/Mattoon chapter, those students can volunteer at their local Red Cross chapter when they go home for the summer, Sego said.

Even though the Charleston/Mattoon chapter won’t be sending anyone locally to India, The Red Cross and other relief agencies across the state of Illinois are in India now.

Gov. Ryan said the biggest need right now is money so food, shelter and medical supplies can be bought to help the victims in the fastest way possible.

Bill Braden, CEO of American Red Cross of Greater Chicago said the American Red Cross has committed $185,000 for an initial comprehensive relief package in addition to deploying a seven-member response team to India.

“The best way to help people affected by the earthquake in India and other international disasters is by making a cash donation,” Braden said. “Financial donations to this (The Red Cross) fund help ensure that individuals and families continue to receive desperately needed relief.”

Those who are interested in donating money to help those affected by the recent tragedy in India can send donations to the Charleston/Mattoon Red Cross at P.O. Box 837, Mattoon, Ill., 61938.

Donations also can be made through The Red Cross Web site at www.DisasterRelief.org.

Governor Ryan reminded Illinois residents that people in the state are not immune to the threat of earthquakes.

“Our hearts go out to the people of India,” he said. “More than a thousand Indian Americans call Illinois home, and we should do all we can do to provide support and comfort, both overseas and here in this time of tragedy.”