ARC: Fire victims were provided aid

American Red Cross-CNMI Chapter executive director John Hirsh said that the civic group did not turn away some fire victims who were displaced from a Chalan Piao barracks last Thursday night.

Hirsh said there were four fire victims who took temporary refuge at the Red Cross’ shelter, but they voluntarily left the place last Monday.

“If they can’t find a place to live, they’re welcome,” Hirsh said. “We don’t discriminate against anyone whether you’re a resident, nonresident, Chinese or Filipinos. …We provide shelter for anybody on emergency cases.”

He added, though, that the Red Cross prefers not to duplicate services that are already being provided to disaster victims by other entities.

At least nine fire victims have been provided with food, shelter and clothing by their employer, Marianas Garment Manufacturing, since they were displaced by the fire that gutted a Beach Road, Chalan Piao building that housed commercial and housing establishments, according to Hirsh.

“We don’t want to duplicate the same services. That’s a waste of our donors’ resources,” Hirsh said.

The four people who stayed at the shelter were non-MGM employees, Hirsh said. He said that the Red Cross provided them food and clothing, besides temporary shelter.

When the four left the Red Cross’ shelter Monday, they told other fire victims about the assistance they got, according to Hirsh. About 10 other fire victims went to the Red Cross’ office later that day to seek assistance, but Hirsh said those victims were mostly MGM employees. “They’ve been provided assistance [by MGM],” Hirsh said.

While the Red Cross provides relief assistance to victims of disasters and emergencies, Hirsh said Karidat provides long-term assistance.

Some 21 Chinese persons who were displaced by the fire went to Karidat Tuesday afternoon to seek aid, but the civic group denied them help, saying that the victims do not qualify for its fire victims program.

According to Karidat executive director Angie V. Guerrero, the program applies to individual or family residence, not to barracks. The program entitles a qualified household to a $200 donation. Guerrero said, though, that the victims might qualify for Karidat’s emergency food program, subject to screening procedures.

Hirsh said that Red Cross immediately dispatched a disaster action team led by Christie Sablan while the fire was ongoing. The team distributed “comfort kits” to some 15 to 20 victims immediately at the scene.

He lauded Red Cross volunteers, who respond to disasters and emergencies without pay. “The Red Cross works hard to help people in this community.”

Hirsh added that fire victims who have not had any assistance from any party would be welcome to possible Red Cross assistance.