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The Red Cross reports that this is already the largest single-country personnel deployment in global Red Cross history. The number of emergency response teams in or en route to Haiti equals those that responded to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami – an emergency that spanned 14 countries.
“It’s very encouraging to see things are really starting to happen now in Haiti,” said Bruce Rutter, CEO of the local chapter. “I understand that we’ve been able to reach survivors outside the capital city, and are providing first aid, food, water and other basic supplies in camps.” Sixteen Red Cross flights have landed since the earthquake, and 100 tons of Red Cross aid has arrived in Haiti. Planes and trucks carrying Red Cross humanitarian assistance are arriving in the region every day.
The American Red Cross Relief ERU in Port-au-Prince continues to receive and distribute incoming relief supplies, in coordination with the Haitian National Red Cross Society, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and other Red Cross partners. Relief distributions are being planned for 60,000 families, which equates to 300,000 people.
Red Cross responders from seven countries are treating injuries and performing surgery at hospitals and medical centers throughout the capital city. More than 70 American Red Cross Creole-speaking 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.
Red Cross 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. The American Red Cross is providing approximately 3 million pre-packaged meals in partnership with the World Food Program in Haiti. More than 100 truckloads of meals will leave Miami by air in the next few days and are expected to arrive in Haiti this weekend. In the days ahead, the Red Cross will provide tents and shelter supplies for an initial 20,000 families in Haiti.
The International Committee of the Red Cross family links Web site, designed to help reconnect separated families, has received 23,000 registrations since the earthquake. We know 360 families have successfully reconnected using the site. Yesterday (1/19/10), the Red Cross helped an additional 117 people in Haiti make international phone calls to their families – mainly in the Untied States – to say they are safe and well.
Terrible times like these bring out the best in people, and we are grateful for the support being given to the American Red Cross. This generosity will help thousands of survivors cope with and recover from their losses. Donations can be made online at www.redcross.org, by texting the message “Haiti” to 90999 or by phone to 1-800-REDCROSS. Donors can also call the local Red Cross here in Rhode Island and make a donation by phone at 401-831-7700, or send a check to our office at 105 Gano Street, Providence RI 02906. Please indicate “Haiti” on the check.
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