Fairfax, Va. (Sept. 29, 2009) – Martin Nkwain, a Disaster Action Team member who works with the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region was honored by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano at an address to volunteers from the American Red Cross and other regional organizations. The event, one of several important speeches outlining Napolitano’s priorities, was held at the 17^th Street headquarters of the American Red Cross. 

At the event, Napolitano recognized the tremendous work on behalf of the community of several exceptional volunteers from various organizations, including volunteers from Prince George’s CitiCorp, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, and local American Red Cross volunteer Martin Nkwain, a disaster volunteer, instructor and a duty officer for the Regional Disaster Coordination Center at the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area. 

Martin Nkwain, the effervescent and ever-smiling volunteer, came to the United States from Cameroon. When he arrived, he was resolved to “help people in any way possible.” He says he knew the Red Cross was the "best.” An employee of the International Monetary Fund, Nkwain volunteers with the Red Cross as a Disaster Action Team member in the Prince George’s County office and in the Regional Disaster Coordination Center (RDCC) located in Fairfax, VA at the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region's headquarters.

The American Red Cross in the National Capital Region is a volunteer-led organization that provides relief to victims of disaster and empowers people in the D.C. Metro Area to prevent, prepare for and respond to disasters and other life-threatening emergencies. Financially supported by the generosity of the local community, the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year responding daily to local disasters while continuing to build its capacity to effectively prepare for and respond to the next major disaster to strike our community. The region consists of the National Capital Area chapter (the counties of Fairfax, Montgomery and Prince George’s; the District of Columbia; the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church and field offices at Fort Belvoir, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Andrews Air Force Base, National Naval Medical Center and the National Institutes of Health) and chapters in Alexandria, Arlington, Loudoun and Prince William. 

To arrange for an interview, or for more on the services of the American Red Cross in the National Capital Region, contact Kathy Thompson, director of communications and media relations at 703-584-8412 or ThompsonK@redcrossnca.org or contact Kim Covington at 703-584-8455 or CovingtonK@redcrossnca.org.