| 2010-01-21 - Red Cross Relief Efforts Ongoing in Haiti |
More than a week after a catastrophic earthquake shattered the Port-au-Prince region and surrounding areas in Haiti, the American Red Cross, with the help of the generosity of the American public, is delivering relief—through first aid posts, hospitals, relief distribution sites, water trucking programs and family linking stations—and helping to make life better for those affected.
The Red Cross has now been able to reach survivors outside the capital city, providing first aid in camps and prioritizing the need for food, water and other basic supplies. Teams are focused on purifying the water supply available in the country and expect to deliver clean drinking water to 200,000 to 400,000 people each day by truck.
So far, approximately 100 tons of Red Cross aid has arrived in Haiti. Planes and trucks carrying additional assistance are arriving in the region every day.
In partnership with the World Food Program in Haiti, approximately 3 million pre-packaged meals will be provided to those in need. The 100 truckloads of meals are expected to arrive by the weekend. In the days ahead, the Red Cross will also provide tents and shelter supplies for an initial 20,000 families.
There are more than 400 Red Cross workers from around the world in Haiti, as well as thousands of local volunteers. Responders from seven countries are treating injuries and performing surgery at hospitals and medical centers throughout the capital city. More than 70 Creole-speaking Red Cross volunteers have been trained and will soon join the USNS Comfort offshore in Haiti to translate for patients receiving medical care from the U.S. military.
American Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern traveled to Haiti earlier this week to visit relief operations and help coordinate the distribution of aid. “This is an enormous relief operation now, and will be a massive long-term recovery effort. The Red Cross will be there every step of the way,” McGovern stated.
You can help the victims of countless crises, like the recent earthquake in Haiti, 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. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the Central MN American Red Cross, 1301 West St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN 56301. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or by calling the Central MN Chapter at 1-800-560-7641. Mobile donors can text “Haiti” to 90999 to make a $10 contribution. A $10 donation made through mobile giving can provide a family with two water cans to store clean drinking water, a blanket appropriate to the climate or other supplies to give people the ability to cook for their families.
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