The situation in Haiti remains desperate, but support from the American public is making it into the hands of survivors and more help is on the way.
· Red Cross teams from other nations are delivering clean drinking water to survivors gathering in six different communities.
· In addition to the first aid posts, outreach teams are also aiding the injured in nearby camps. Red Cross responders from six countries are treating injuries and triaging people for surgery at hospitals and medical centers in Port-au-Prince, Carrefour and Jacmel.
· Planes and trucks carrying Red Cross humanitarian assistance are arriving in the region every day, delivering much needed materials such as medical supplies, tarps, blankets, hygiene items, buckets, shelter supplies and kitchen sets. So far, more than 500 tons of Red Cross aid has been mobilized.
· The American Red Cross is providing approximately 3 million pre-packaged meals in partnership with the World Food Program in Haiti.
· In the days ahead, the American Red Cross will provide supplies for temporary shelters in Haiti. Kits, containing wood, tarps, rope and tools, as well as tents and blankets, will be made available for an initial 20,000 families.
· Approximately 100 American Red Cross Creole-speaking volunteers will be aboard the USNS Comfort to translate for patients.
· In Florida, American Red Cross chapters are providing a variety of support services as U.S. citizens return to the United States from Haiti. These services may vary slightly depending on the individuals’ needs when they arrive, but may include shelter, food, emotional support, basic first aid, comfort kits and referrals to other community services.
Donations can be made by visiting slo-redcross.org. A $10 donation can be made by texting “Haiti” to 90999.
You can help the victims of countless 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. Donations to the International Response Fund can be sent to the San Luis Obispo County Chapter at 225 Prado Road, Suite A, San Luis Obispo, or to 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.
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