Red Cross sorely in need of funds and volunteers

THE president of the Red Cross in the Balearics, Miquel Alenya, sounded a warning note yesterday about the “overflow” situation facing the organisation due to a huge increase in demand for social services compared to figures for 2004. Last year, the Red Cross attended to the needs of 58'994 people, 8'131 more than in 2003.
Some 120 special projects were also on the agenda, Alenya said.
He added that said requirements are very much in evidence in the need for food distribution and action against poverty in general.
He drew attention to the fact that “we are lacking as much in volunteers as we are in economic resources in order to help all the people that ask us for assistance.” Presenting his organisation's 2004 annual report yesterday, the regional president detailed the work that a budget of 15'975'000 euros had enabled the Red Cross to achieve. The occasion was attended by regional organisation secretary, Joan Batle, and Red Cross co-ordinator for the Balearic Islands, Juana Lozano.