The American Red Cross has released $10 million to help the victims of last week’s earthquake in Haiti. With estimates that as many as 3 million people may be affected by the catastrophic quake, priority needs in Haiti are food, water, temporary shelter, medical services, and emotional support.
Thousands of local Red Cross volunteers are aiding their fellow Haitians, and American Red Cross disaster-management specialists have come from the United States, Peru, and Mexico.
The American Red Cross is also helping the injured who may need blood. Blood and blood products have shipped to the U.S. Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Fla, and then on to Guantanamo Bay to help Haitian evacuees and patients.
Other Red Cross partners have deployed a mobile hospital, medical teams, and 40 staff to help with sheltering, providing water, sanitation, and telecommunications.
According to the Red Cross, countless requests have come from people wanting to help. The best way to do that is to make a donation to the American Red Cross International Response Fund at redcross.org or by calling (800) RED-CROSS. Donors can designate their gifts to Haiti relief.
In addition, several hundred thousand people have chosen to make a mobile donation. Donors can text “Haiti” to 90999 on their cell phone to send a $10 donation to support Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti. The mobile giving effort had already raised more than $3 million by last Thursday morning, and all the money raised goes to support Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
