RTI International donates $47,000 to Red Cross for European refugee and migration crisis relief efforts

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC— RTI International and its staff members have donated $47,000 to the American Red Cross European Migration and Refugee Crisis Relief Fund.

Conflicts in the Middle East have forced millions to flee their homes in search of safety, resulting in the largest migration Europe has seen since the end of World War II. European Council President Donald Tusk stated that millions of potential refugees are trying to reach Europe.

RTI donated $25,000 to the relief effort and offered to match employee contributions. In response, staff members contributed $11,000, which RTI matched for a total contribution of $47,000.

RTI's donations will be directed to support children affected by this crisis in particular.

"The American Red Cross is extremely grateful to RTI International and its exceptional employees for their donation to the European Refugee and Migration Crisis," said Gregg Gerdau, philanthropy board chair, American Red Cross of Central North Carolina.

"These monies will go directly to the Red Cross and their agencies working specifically with the refugees and could not come at a better time. The $47,000 donation will serve many people and many needs at the level that will make a difference."

Red Cross and Red Crescent teams are serving tens of thousands of migrants and refugees, primarily children. This critical assistance includes the distribution of food, water, hygiene kits, baby supplies, clothing and first aid kits.

As the crisis continues, the American Red Cross is providing remote information management and mapping support to the Red Cross network—essential assistance for an emergency of this scale, which can overwhelm local Red Crescent branches.