In response to yesterday’s series of earthquakes in Haiti, the American Red Cross has released both $1,000,000 in immediate humanitarian aid and a local Haitian stockpile of supplies including blankets, kitchen sets and water containers to support 3,000 families.  The Red Cross is preparing to make available additional relief supplies from its warehouse in Panama to support 5,000 more families. 

As is typical in the immediate aftermath of an earthquake, the full extent of damage is unknown at this time. However, as with most earthquakes, we expect to see immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support. In response to a staffing support request from the International Red Cross, the American Red Cross is deploying six disaster specialists in addition to the 15 staff already on the ground in Haiti working with International Red Cross volunteers to obtain information and assess what further action is needed. 

For inquiries about relatives living in Haiti, please be patient and call repeatedly until the lines clear or contact other family members who live nearby. Telephone, internet and other communication lines are often disrupted in times of disaster. You may also register the names of loved ones you are trying to restore contact with at http://www.familylinks.icrc.org/.  People trying to locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Haiti should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225. 

You can help the victims of the Haitian earthquakes and countless other 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. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. Donations 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 does not anticipate in-kind donations for this international response. 

While the American Red Cross is not accepting volunteers to travel to Haiti, if you would like to volunteer to respond to local disasters and emergencies, please contact Andrew Sindell, Director of Community Services at (203) 869-8444 or sindella@usa.redcross.org. 

The Greenwich Chapter of the American Red Cross provides relief to victims of emergencies and disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies.  For further information about the programs and services offered by the Greenwich Chapter, please visit our website at www.greenwichredcross.org.