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Back Ground-
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 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 Central Valley
The American Red Cross Central Valley is fundraising for emergency relief expenses. As this large scale catastrophic event will require significant resources in support of the Haitian community, the local chapter will also be managing donations and inquiries from individuals and businesses seeking personal and other information.
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 funds 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 team of (6) disaster specialists immediately to Haiti to support response efforts.
The American Red Cross has (12) staff on the ground in Haiti , who were there when the earthquake hit working on an AIDS Prevention Project, 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.
Those Interested in Providing Financial Support
The American Red Cross is accepting monetary donations to support earthquake relief efforts in Haiti . Potential donors wishing to support this disaster may designate their gift to Haiti Relief and Development or the International Response Fund.
Donations can be made by designating Haiti Response or the preferred International Response (this will allow Red Cross greater flexibility in supporting this and other disasters) and donating through your local chapter.
Checks may be sent to
American Red Cross
International Response Fund
2002 N. Fine Avenue
Fresno, CA 93727
On line by Clicking Here – select the DONATE NOW button, then International Response Fund.
Also, many chapters have inquired about the legitimacy of a donation service via mobile texting. Please note that the service is legitimate, and is being offered through Mobile Accord and the State Department’s third-party fundraiser. Donors may text " HAITI " to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given to the American Red Cross to help with relief efforts; the donation is an automatic $10 donation.
The American Red Cross does not anticipate in-kind donations for this international response.
Looking For Family Members?
Immediately after any international disaster response priorities focus on life saving relief such as search and rescue, shelter, water, and food. Therefore, in the first few days after a disaster family linking services are limited.
Inquiries regarding US Citizens living or traveling in Haiti
Inquiries concerning U.S. Citizens abroad should be referred to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens services, at 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225
Inquiries regarding non-US Citizens in Haiti
At this time inquiries to search for loved ones missing in Haiti are not being accepted. It generally takes up to 72 hours from time of disaster for systems to be put in place to support the family linking systems. Please check with http://www.arccentralvalley.org/ for updates
The Red Cross family linking response in Haiti will initially focus on allowing people in the earthquake affected areas to contact their relatives abroad.
For additional information on International Disaster Family Linking
New Bulletins will be issued as referral information or updates regarding the availability of disaster family linking become available.
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