B’nai B’rith International has opened its disaster relief fund to help the victims of the multiple high-velocity tornadoes and subsequent flooding that hit six states in the South and Midwest on the afternoon and evening of April 27 and continued into the morning of April 28. The many tornadoes, some rated as EF-5, the highest wind velocity rating the National Weather Service assigns to storms, have killed nearly 300, mostly in Alabama, and destroyed hundreds of buildings and left close to one million homes and businesses without power. Flooding has wreaked havoc on the already devastated area, with record flood levels predicted to continue throughout the region.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of these horrific storms,” B’nai B’rith International Interim President Allan J. Jacobs said. “Many people lack the basic necessities to meet their short-term needs as they work to recover from these disasters. The devastation continuing to be felt by victims of these destructive storms needs to be quickly addressed.”

The B’nai B’rith International Disaster Relief Fund has provided aid to populations affected by natural and man-made catastrophes domestically and around the world, including the Haitian and Chilean earthquakes of 2010 and the 2011 earthquake that recently hit Japan.

“Disaster relief has been a crucial part of the B’nai B’rith mission since 1865, and continues to be a foundation of our commitment to providing global and domestic humanitarian aid,” B’nai B’rith Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. “We must do everything possible to help the victims recover and rebuild their lives in the wake of this tragedy.”

To help, donate online at our secure website:
http://bbi.convio.net/site/Donation2?df_id=1540&1540.donation=form1

Donations may also be made by mail to: B’nai B’rith International Disaster Relief Fund, Attn:  U.S. Flood and Tornado Relief Fund 2011, 2020 K Street, NW, 7th Floor, Washington, D.C., 20006