Haiti Earthquake Relief
  

Haiti Earthquake Disaster Update
February 12, 2010

One month ago today, a devastating earthquake struck Haiti. In the hours and days that followed, terrible aftershocks added to the misery of people in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas that had been torn apart by the initial quake. An estimated 200,000 people were killed as a result of the quake; more than 1.2 million were left homeless. But something else happened within hours and days of the quake: the Red Cross was there, beginning to bring relief and hope to a nation devastated by a completely unpredictable disaster.

Today, 30 Red Cross societies from around the world are part of a massive effort to deliver aid, help the injured and stand with the people of Haiti as they seek to rebuild. The outpouring of support from donors across Connecticut and around the country has been unprecedented. Approximately $255 million has been raised for the Haiti relief and recovery effort. This morning, the American Red Cross issued a report (attached) detailing our work so far in Haiti and beginning to outline the future of what will be long-term recovery operation. I want to share some highlights of that report with you, and I urge you to read it in its entirety as well as other important relief information online at www.redcross.org/haiti. You will find in the report and online information and inspiring stories about the incredibly resilient people of Haiti and the dedicated people who are there to help the Haitians recover and rebuild. Thank you again for your ongoing interest in and support of the Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

Highlights of Red Cross Work in Haiti
Since the earthquake, the American Red Cross has raised approximately $255 million for the Haiti relief and recovery efforts. To date, we have spent or committed $80 million, with approximately 69 percent of the funds spent or committed for food and water; 20 percent for shelter; and 11 percent for health and family services. As the response progresses and recovery begins, the Red Cross will continue to support these priority areas and longer-term assistance initiatives.

Food, Water and Other Relief Items
The American Red Cross has provided 3 million pre-packaged meals to the United Nations World Food Programme as well as $30 million in funding to help feed an additional 1 million people for a month. To meet the dire need for clean water, we have distributed more than 1 million water-purification sachets as well as containers that allow people to clean and carry water. The American Red Cross is also providing supplies for 130,000 people and working with Red Cross teams from other nations distributing relief items such as blankets, kitchen supplies, hygiene kits and buckets.

Shelter
More than 1 million people in Haiti are in need of shelter. Leaders representing more than 20 Red Cross and Red Crescent societies, including the American Red Cross, gathered this week in Montreal, Canada for a two-day summit to develop and coordinate a comprehensive approach to respond to Haiti’s immediate and long-term needs.

In coordination with other relief agencies, the Red Cross aims to address the complex shelter situation in Haiti through a combination of strategies, including:
• Providing local families with solutions that will encourage them to rebuild safely near their pre-disaster homes
• Supporting host families who are housing displaced people
• Supporting people in post-quake settlements by providing both tarps and tents

Health and Family Services
Since the earthquake, the American Red Cross has provided more than 1,100 units of blood for earthquake survivors, more than 50 Creole-speaking interpreters for the USNS Comfort hospital ship, and $600,000 worth of food for the mobile clinics and hospitals operated by other Red Cross teams in Haiti.

In the United States, the American Red Cross has been providing welcoming services, shelter and other support for repatriated citizens and medical evacuees who arrived home following the earthquake. In addition, the American Red Cross is helping people find and reestablish contact with their loved ones in Haiti through its international family tracing service – a form of assistance that is also being provided by the Red Cross in Haiti.

Here in Connecticut, your Red Cross is working with several families directly affected by the quake. We have registered families on the Red Cross Family Links website and had several success stories. We have also provided financial assistance, referrals and emotional support to Haitian families with ties here that are returning to Connecticut or to individuals from Haiti reuniting with families here in Connecticut.

Long Term Plans
It is clear that what took minutes to destroy will take many years and the collective support from governments and relief agencies across the globe to help rebuild. Because of the extraordinary support from the American public, the American Red Cross will continue to play an important role in relief efforts in the months ahead.

To learn more and read the complete report, please visit www.redcross.org/haiti.

Your local Red Cross continues outreach to Haitian communities here in Connecticut. We have worked with local government, businesses and community organizations to provide information and emotional support to people with loved ones in Haiti. We have distributed information in English, French and Creole on emotional health in the wake of disaster and have helped families to register with the International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (ICRC) Family Links website. Since beginning our outreach, w have helped families in Connecticut successfully contact loved ones in Haiti through Family Links.  In recent weeks, the Chapter has begun working directly with Haitians returning to Connecticut because of past ties or family connections.

We are also working with many businesses and organizations that are raising funds for the Red Cross relief work in Haiti. Anyone interested in learning how they can work with the Red Cross to raise funds for the effort should contact Patricia Scharr at (860) 883-0050.
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At this time, what are needed most are financial contributions. Things like clothes and food are not helpful right now because there is nowhere to store them, no one to sort them, and it is currently difficult to transport the items to Haiti. One good way to turn clothes into cash is to have a garage sale and then donate the money to the relief efforts.

You can help the victims of countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Donations to the International Response Fund can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org. 

The American Red Cross is also receiving money through a third party mobile fundraising effort in which mobile donors can text "Haiti" to 90999 to send a $10 donation. Those donating to the American Red Cross by check can do so by noting Haiti Relief in the memo line.

Families who have lost everything in an international disaster need immediate help just to make it through the first terrifying hours and days. A cooking set, toilet paper and a toothbrush, safe water and a blanket to keep warm – these simple items are essential as families struggle to survive. For $100, you can give one family a basic kit that will provide a month's supplies.
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Currently, we are deploying only Red Cross volunteers specially trained to manage international emergency operations.  In the future there may be opportunities to volunteer for the Haitian relief efforts at home or abroad. Volunteers are always needed locally and there are opportunities as well to train for national disaster relief service. If you are interested in volunteering, contact us at www.ctredcross.org for information and upcoming orientation dates.

The American Red Cross continues to meet the current needs of this tragedy from our existing blood supply.  At this time we do not anticipate the need for a general donor appeal to support our efforts. As always, blood donors are encouraged to call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit us online at www.redcrossblood.org to make an appointment.

 

THE HAITI RED CROSS

The Haitian Red Cross was founded in 1932 and is one of the primary organizations in the country responding to disasters. Although earthquakes are less common, Haiti is frequently impacted by hurricanes including those in 2008, and the Haiti Red Cross has developed experience in disaster response due those disasters.