The American public’s support is getting to Haitian earthquake survivors.
The Red Cross spent the weekend delivering more than 300,000 litres of clean drinking water to survivors in three different communities. Latrines have also been built in the same areas to help address sanitation issues.
The Red Cross set up two medical centers to triage and treat approximately 200 people per day. Three others will are arriving between now and Monday.
First aid posts have been set up in the streets, where Red Cross workers and volunteers from Haiti and other countries are working side-by-side to clean and stitch up wounds amidst the rubble.
Special Red Cross teams trained in search and rescue were able to save 40 people from a collapsed supermarket, including a small child, after 26 hours of continuous effort.
Six planes loaded with Red Cross relief have landed, delivering a field hospital and tarps, blankets, hygiene items, buckets, shelter supplies and kitchen sets. An American Red Cross team was in Cite Soleil Sunday, distributing relief supplies. Another 20,000 relief items should arrive Monday on a cargo plane provided by FedEx.
The Red Cross soon will begin to provide some temporary shelter solutions with kits containing tarps, rope and tools, as well as tents and blankets for an initial 20,000 families. More of these are on the way.
More Red Cross teams from around the world are en route to Haiti and will be able to provide additional forensics, family tracing, nursing and logistics support to responders already on the ground.
American Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern is in the Dominican Republic, meeting with Red Cross leadership from around the world, and will travel to Haiti on Tuesday to visit relief operations.
The Red Cross is training 40-100 Creole-speaking volunteers who will work as translators on the USS Comfort when Haitians will be brought aboard for medical care.
Why has it been taking so long to get aid to people in Haiti?
Relief materials are being delivered, and more help is on the way by air, land and sea.
The earthquake caused severe damage to the airport, port and roads in Haiti, making it difficult to get assistance into the country for a time. But progress is being made as six planeloads of Red Cross relief items have arrived.
Other flights loaded with supplies have been diverted from the damaged Haiti airport. To get these in by truck from the Dominican Republic is an 11-hour drive over almost impassable roads.
Supplies on cargo ships have to wait until the severely damaged port reopens.
More than 400 Red Cross workers from two dozen nations are supporting several thousand local volunteers, are addressing urgent needs and mobilizing a massive response operation in Haiti. More Red Cross teams from around the world are en route.
How much money has the American Red Cross raised to date?
Since the earthquake struck on Tuesday, the American Red Cross has raised nearly $103 million (as of Sunday evening.)
Nearly two-thirds of the donations have been through online contributions, with more than $19 million pledged through record-breaking mobile giving and strong support from corporations. This generosity will help thousands of survivors cope with and recover from their losses.
How can people donate?
People who want to help those affected by the Haitian earthquake can make a donation at redcross.org or by calling 1-800-RED-CROSS. Donors can make their gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund or Haiti Relief and Development.
The Red Cross is also receiving money through a third-party mobile fundraising effort in which mobile donors can text "Haiti" to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross. The funds will go to support the Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
How much money has the American Red Cross spent on this relief effort?
It is too early to say how much this relief operation will cost the international community, but the damage is extensive, and we know that this is going to be a massive and costly long-term recovery operation.
The American Red Cross has already released $10 million for relief efforts in Haiti. Future allocations will be made once we know more about the situation on the ground in Haiti and the greatest needs for both the short and long term.
Is the Red Cross accepting volunteers or goods for Haiti?
We appreciate these heartfelt offers, but we are only deploying Red Cross volunteers specially trained to manage international emergency operations. At this time, what we need the most are financial contributions – whether by check, online or by phone. There is nowhere to store or sort items like clothing, or a way to ship them to Haiti.
Do you need blood donations?
The American Red Cross is meeting the needs of this tragedy through current supplies and does not anticipate a special donor appeal to support our efforts. As always, blood donors are encouraged to call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit us online at redcrossblood.org to make an appointment.
Is the Red Cross helping to evacuate U.S. citizens from Haiti?
No. The U.S. State Department is responsible for evacuating U.S. citizens from Haiti and the Red Cross coordinates with the State Department and other government agencies to support these citizens when they reach the United States.
Is the Red Cross helping U.S. citizens as they arrive from Haiti in the United States?
Yes. Some Red Cross chapters are providing services at points of entry as citizens arrive in the United States from Haiti. These may vary slightly depending on the needs of those Americans as they arrive. Services may include: shelter, food, emotional support, basic first aid, comfort kits and referrals to other community services.
How can people find a missing relative in Haiti?
The International Committee of the Red Cross has established a family linking Web site, enabling persons in Haiti and abroad to search for and register the names of relatives missing since the earthquake: www.icrc.org/familylinks
If you’re trying to reach a U.S. citizen living or traveling in Haiti, you should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747.
I heard rumors of fraudulent emails; is this true?
There are reports of fraudulent emails that are abusing the Red Cross emblem to solicit donations globally. Please forward all suspicious emails and Web sites to fraudissues@ifrc.org .