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Written by Lynn Cook, Director, Communication & Marketing, American Red Cross of Greater Columbus
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Thursday, 14 January 2010 13:06 |
American Red Cross Pledges Additional $9 Million to Haiti Relief
How You Can Help
Columbus, January 14, 2010 - The American Red Cross today is releasing an additional $9 million for earthquake relief in Haiti, bringing their commitment to $10 million. In addition, five disaster management specialists from Peru, Mexico and the United States are arriving in the Dominican Republic today and will travel by land to the disaster zone. These individuals join the 15-person American Red Cross staff already on the ground in Haiti as well as thousands of local Red Cross volunteers.
As airports begin accepting relief shipments and more commercial flights, tarps, cooking sets, hygiene items and other supplies from the American Red Cross warehouse in Panama will be distributed to an initial 5,000 families.
The American Red Cross has seen an outpouring of support and concern from the public since the 7.3 earthquake struck Haiti on Tuesday. The Red Cross wants the community to know:
- People who want to help those affected by the Haitian earthquake can make a donation to the American Red Cross International Response Fund at redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS.
- Donors can text "Haiti" to 90999 to send a ten dollar donation to the Red Cross. The funds will go to support the Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
- The American Red Cross disaster relief program is not designed to accept and distribute in-kind products like used clothing, hygiene products, medicine or food. In past disasters, other charitable organizations have communicated an interest in receiving and distributing items like these and we would urge those interested to monitor various media for such product appeals. Our experience has taught us that deliveries of unsolicited goods, though well-intentioned, can often complicate relief efforts. When and if we learn of programs related to in-kind goods, we will post this information at Columbus.redcross.org.
- At this point, no specific request has been made by the Haitian government for the American Red Cross to provide blood or blood products to support treatment of the victims of the earthquake. As always, blood donors are encouraged to call 1-800-RED-CROSS or visit us online at redcrossblood.org to make an appointment to donate blood.
- At this time, we are only deploying Red Cross volunteers specially trained to manage international emergency operations. Please consider supporting your community's local needs by volunteering with your local Red Cross.
- 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.
- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is helping to reconnect separated families within the country. They have established a special Web site, enabling persons in Haiti and abroad to search for and register the names of relatives missing since the earthquake: www.icrc.org/familylinks
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit your local Red Cross chapter website or www.redcross.org
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Last Updated on Thursday, 14 January 2010 13:13 |
