The American Red Cross is sending money, supplies and staff to Haiti
to support relief efforts there after yesterday’s earthquake, which
caused catastrophic damage and loss of life.
According to reports, as many as three million people may have been
affected by the quake, which collapsed government buildings and caused
major damage to hospitals in the area.
The Red Cross is contributing an initial $1 million from the
International Response Fund to support the relief operation, and has
opened its warehouse in Panama to provide tarps, mosquito nets and
cooking sets for approximately 5,000 families.
In addition to Red Cross staff already in Haiti, six disaster
management specialists are being deployed to the disaster zone to help
coordinate relief efforts. At this time, the American Red Cross is only
deploying volunteers specially trained to manage international
emergency operations.
There has been an outpouring of support from the public. To help,
people can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response
Fund at www.redcross.org or by
calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). The public can also help by
texting “Haiti” to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross,
through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will go to
support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
Debris and collapsed bridges are making access to many areas
extremely difficult. Telephone service and electricity are out in many
places. Haitian Red Cross staff worked throughout the night to rescue
people still trapped in their homes and provide first aid. The priority
remains to provide food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and
emotional support.
The American Red Cross already had fifteen staff in Haiti providing
ongoing HIV/AIDS prevention and disaster preparedness programs. All are
reported to be safe and responding to the disaster.
To date, there have been no requests for blood products from the
government of Haiti. However, some patients at an affected facility in
Haiti have been moved to a Guantanamo Bay hospital, and the Armed
Services Blood Program has asked both the Red Cross and Florida Blood
Services for support for those patients. In addition, the American Red
Cross will be sending a shipment of blood products to the United
Nations Mission in Haiti.
While communication with those in Haiti is still difficult, people
should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas
Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 if trying to reach a U.S. citizen
living or traveling in Haiti. If trying to reach a Haitian citizen,
callers should continue to call or contact other family members who
live nearby.
While donations are coming in for Haiti relief, the initial American
Red Cross response is made possible in part by contributions from
members of the Red Cross Annual Disaster Giving Program (ADGP). The
following partners designate a portion of their ADGP commitment to the
International Response Fund: American Express, John Deere Foundation,
Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Morgan Stanley and State Street Foundation.