The Red Cross has contacted Senator Golden with the following information.
On January 12, at 5:22pm local time, a series of earthquakes with magnitude 6.5 to 7.3 struck Haiti in the highly populated area of Department Ouest, 10 miles from Port-au-Prince. Aftershocks are continuing to occur.
Current media reports indicate collapsed buildings including hospitals and government buildings, and that the earthquake was felt as far as Cuba. Haiti Red Cross staff on the ground report collapsed buildings in Port au Prince. 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.
RED CROSS AND RED CRESCENT MOVEMENT RESPONSE
American Red Cross
- · The American Red Cross is responding to this disaster, and will be working with Red Cross partners in Haiti and with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. At this time, the American Red Cross will be:
- · The American Red Cross has released $200,000 for immediate response action.
- · It is making available all the relief supplies at its warehouse in Panama (enough for 5,000 families) in support of relief efforts. These supplies include blankets, kitchen sets, and water containers to meet immediate needs of survivors.
- · The American Red Cross is sending a disaster specialist immediately to Haiti to support response efforts and has several experienced disaster specialists standing by to be deployed if requested.
- · The American Red Cross has staff on the ground in Haiti and is working to obtain information on the situation.
- · The American Red Cross will continue to monitor the situation and communicate with the Haiti Red Cross and International Federation for future immediate action.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation)
- · The International Federation has been monitoring the situation and has activated its Pan American Disaster Unit to provide supplies from its warehouse. It has also put all of its disaster emergency response teams on alert to respond to the disaster.
HOW YOU CAN HELP:
- Ø The American Red Cross is accepting donations to support relief efforts with the preferred vehicle being the Red Cross International Response Fund.
- Ø Donors may call 1-800-733-2767 to donate or visit our chapter website at www.nyredcross.org [2] .
