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Contact: Fatin Badawi, (714) 481-5378
SANTA ANA, Calif. – An initial $1 million donation from the American Red Cross has been pledged to assist the Haitian communities impacted by yesterday’s earthquake. The American Red Cross has an extensive partnership with the Haitian Red Cross, which is expected to lead the Red Cross response to the earthquake. At this time, Orange County residents can contribute to these efforts by making donations at www.oc-redcross.org.
The Haitian Red Cross was founded in 1932 and is one of the primary organizations in the country responding to disasters. Although earthquakes are less common, Haiti is frequently impacted by hurricanes including those in 2008, giving the Haitian Red Cross a developed knowledge in disaster response.
Relief supplies have been made available from the American Red Cross warehouse in Panama which would provide the basic needs for approximately 5,000 families. In addition, a disaster management specialist has been deployed to Haiti, and has additional disaster specialists on standby if needed.
“Initial reports indicate widespread damage in Port au Prince, with continuing aftershocks,” says Tracy Reines, director of international disaster response for the American Red Cross. “As with most earthquakes, we expect to see immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.”
As with all disasters, contacting loved ones in other countries is crucial. For inquiries about relatives living and who have citizenship in Haiti, please be patient and call repeatedly until the lines clear or contact other family members who live nearby. Telephone, Internet and other communication lines are often disrupted.
People trying to locate U.S. citizens living or traveling in Haiti should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (888) 407-4747 or (202) 647-5225.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has also established a family-linking web site at www.icrc.org/familylinks that enables persons in Haiti and abroad to search for and register the names of relatives missing since the earthquake.
Help people affected by disasters by donating to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. On those rare occasions when donations exceed Red Cross expenses for a specific disaster, contributions are used to prepare for and serve victims of other disasters. Your gift enables the Red Cross to provide shelter, food, counseling and other assistance to victims of all disasters. Call (714) 481-5300 or 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Contributions to the Disaster Relief Fund may be sent to the American Red Cross of Orange County, 601 North Golden Circle, Santa Ana, CA 92705. Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting www.oc-redcross.org.
For more updates on the American Red Cross of Orange County, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ocredcross.
