The AHF Disaster Relief Fund: 2010 Toxic "Red Sludge" Disaster |
5/2/2011 - AHF and member organizations in Massachusetts raise money for Toxic Sludge victims in Hungary... At the event held on May 1st, 2011, the Boston community came together to help victims of a toxic waste reservoir rupture in Hungary. A legacy of its communist past, it is Hungary's worst ecological disaster. The AHF Disaster Relief Fund has now raised over $225,000.00. Speakers the event included Event Chair, James Buzgo; AHF Executive Chairman, Bryan Dawson; and New York Consul General, Ambassador Karoly Dan. [read more] 10/12/2010 - AHF activates Disaster Relief Fund to help victims of the toxic “Red Sludge” disaster - On Monday, October 4th, 2010, a large reservoir filled with toxic red sludge in western Hungary ruptured, releasing approximately 700,000 cubic meters (185 million gallons) of stinking caustic mud, which killed many animals, at least four people, and injured over 120 - many with chemical burns. The 12-foot-high flood of sludge inundated several towns, sweeping cars off the road as it flowed into the nearby Marcal River. Emergency workers rushed to pour 1,000 tons of plaster into the Marcal River in an attempt to bind the sludge and keep it from flowingon to the Danube some 45 miles away. The red sludge in the reservoir is a byproduct of refining bauxite into aluminum, which took place at a plant run by the Hungarian Alumina Production and Trading Company.The ecological disaster and is now threatening the entire ecosystem of the Danube, Europe's second longest river. A criminal probe has just been opened by Hungarian authorities and the company's owner has been arrested. [See more pictures] at Boston.com's "Big Picture." Former New York Governor Pataki issued the following News Release: Governor Pataki Calls on Americans to Contribute to Humanitarian Fund for Hungarians Displaced by Toxic Flood... Answers the Call of Hungarian Prime Minister to Coordinate Fundraising Efforts in the United States (New York, NY) Former New York Governor George E. Pataki joined Ambassador Károly Dán, New York Consul General, today at the Consulate General of Hungary to launch U.S.-based fundraising efforts to assist Hungarians who have lost their homes as a result of last week’s tragic flood of toxic red sludge. Governor Pataki is spearheading these efforts at the request of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and will work with the government of Hungary to raise money from Hungarian-American citizens, groups and the American people as a whole. Governor Pataki said, “The situation in Hungary is grave and its people need our help. Last week more than 200 million gallons of toxic red mud flooded into several towns, killing and injuring many and leaving hundreds more homeless. It destroyed entire towns, burned people through their clothes and caused tens of millions of dollars in private property damage,” Pataki continued. “Time and again, from the recent floods in Pakistan to last year’s earthquake in Haiti to the 2004 tsunami in Indonesia and countless other tragedies, the American people have demonstrated their compassion and sense of responsibility by rising to the occasion and helping our fellow global citizens in times of need. This is one of those times, and we urge the American people to answer the call once more on behalf of the people of Hungary.” Ambassador Károly Dán, Consul General of Hungary in New York said, “On behalf of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and the people of Hungary, I thank Governor Pataki for leading this critical effort and working with our government to raise desperately needed funds. As a respected figure in the Hungarian-American community and a leader who has led recovery efforts from terrible disasters, Governor Pataki is an ideal leader for this effort and we look forward to working with him closely.” Last Monday, October 4th, the wall of a reservoir at an alumina plant in northwest Hungary collapsed, unleashing a flood of toxic red sludge that has killed 8 and injured more than 120 people. Several towns are virtually destroyed and hundreds of residents have been displaced, probably never to return home. While its full long-term impact is not yet clear, the event represents a human and environmental disaster affecting not only the immediate region but the larger ecosystem as well. Magyar Köztársaság, New York-i Fokonzulátusa Tisztelt Magyar Honfitársaim! Bizonyára valamennyien hallottak arról a szörnyu tragédiáról, amely 2010. október 5-én Magyarországon történt. Sehol a világon nem volt még ilyen pusztító vörösiszap-katasztrófa, mint amikor átszakadt az ajkai timföldgyár tározójának gátja, és a mérgezo iszap több falut is elöntött Veszprém megyében. A nemzetközi sajtó érdeklodését azóta is ébren tartó katasztrófa nyolc ember, közöttük két kisgyermek életét oltotta ki. Az egyik áldozat egy mások megsegítésére sieto férfi volt. Több, mint százan megsérültek, közülük tizenkét ember állapota súlyos, életveszélyes. Több száz család elvesztette mindenét. Egy szépen fejlodo térség, emberek százainak élete és jövoje ment tönkre pár óra alatt. Egyelore még felmérni sem lehet, hogy hány év szükséges a vörösiszap-lavina okozta pusztítás enyhítésére, amelyet a Greenpeace szóvivoje az elmúlt 20-30 év egyik legsúlyosabb környezeti katasztrófájának nevezett. A házak és termoföldek pusztulása mellett óriási veszteséget jelent Magyarország nemzeti vagyonát jelento természeti vízkincs toxikus anyagokkal való fertozése és a folyók élovilágának pusztulása. Talán túlzás nélkül állíthatjuk, hogy ez a katasztrófa Magyarország méretével arányosan legalább olyan mértéku környezeti kárt és anyagi veszteséget jelent az országnak, mint a közelmúltban a mexikói-öbölben történt olajkatasztrófa volt az Egyesült Államok számára. A Magyar Köztársaság New York-i fokonzuljaként szeretném kérni az Önök segítségét abban, hogy ennek a szörnyu katasztrófának a híre eljusson minél több olyan honfitársunkhoz, akik tudnak és akarnak is segíteni a bajbajutottakon. [Read more] about Previous Disaster Relief Fund Fund efforts! | „Adjatok, néktek is adatik;
mert azzal a mértékkel mérnek néktek, amellyel ti is
mértek.”
The 2010-2011 AHF Disaster Relief Fund has raised over $225,000.00 to help victims of devastating flooding and Toxic Sludge in Hungary! Please click below to donate! We will add your name to the Wall of Honor! Or print out the [Membership Registration Form] and include a check made out to: American Hungarian Federation Wall of Honor Donations 2000.00 - 2999.00
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