04 December 2013 - Big museums of Paris and the French provinces mobilized on Sunday, December 01, to support the Red Cross’ response to the devastation caused by typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in the Philippines.

Brigitte Ayrault, who has repeatedly committed herself to the Philippines, organized, with the French Red Cross, ‘A Sunday of solidarity at the Museum', in partnership with the big museums of Paris and the provinces. This is the first time that these prestigious museums were involved jointly in a humanitarian action of this scope.

Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), one of the most violent ever recorded, caused the death of several thousands. The storm plunged the Philippines into a catastrophic humanitarian situation, depriving thousands of wounded and millions of survivors with water, shelter, food, and also energy and medical care. Several millions of people have, moreover, been displaced.

During this day of solidarity, the French Red Cross volunteers, present in each partner museum, collected donations which will be entirely allocated to relief efforts in the Philippines.

The funds will enable the Red Cross, engaged in emergency and long-term on-site relief, to ensure the population’s access to drinking water, food and basic necessities, as well as medical care.

The operation can also count on the active support of its sponsor, Thierry Marx.

Brigitte Ayrault states: "The Philippines is going through a real human tragedy to which we cannot remain indifferent. More than ever, it is essential to apply what Albert Jacquard advocated: Now, the most needed solidarity is that of all the world’s inhabitants."

For his part, Professor Jean-Jacques Eledjam, President of the French Red Cross has welcomed this initiative and declares that "the French have always responded to requests for mobilization of the Red Cross.  It is true that it is not easy in this time of crisis, and the Philippines is a distant territory. But the Red Cross still needs everyone’s generosity to continue its actions in order to respond urgently and organize support for the victims in the long term. "

People who wish to support 'A Sunday of solidarity at the Museum' may also do so, through the Red Cross website: www.croix-rouge.fr

Participating museums include the Louvre Museum, Musée national des Arts asiatiques Guimet, Musée du Quai Branly, Palais de Tokyo, Musée Rodin, Musée d'Orsay, Musée de l'Orangerie, Château de Versailles, Centre Pompidou, Louvre LENS, Centre Pompidou in Metz, Musée des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée in Marseille, Musée Fabre in Montpellier and Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon. END