Organizations Aiding Haitian Earthquake Relief
Organizations Aiding Haitian Earthquake Relief
American Red Cross
The American Red Cross is actively responding to this disaster in coordination with Red Cross partners in Haiti. At this time, the American Red Cross had committed US $10 million for immediate response activities.The American Red Cross, together with our global Red Cross partners, is conducting assessments on the ground to determine levels of damage, specific needs and available resources. An American Red Cross disaster specialist arrives today to Port-au-Prince, to support Red Cross damage assessments and identification of needs.
At the International Federation's request, the American Red Cross has deployed a five-member Relief Emergency Response Unit (ERU) to lay the groundwork for the coming massive relief distribution operation. These team members are arriving in Haiti today to help establish a system to transport relief items from regional Red Cross warehouses in Panama for rapid delivery and distribution to those in need. The American Red Cross has made available all relief supplies stored at its warehouse in Panama. These include blankets, kitchen sets, and water containers to meet the immediate needs of up to 5,000 families. An initial flight of relief supplies is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. The American Red Cross will continue to monitor the situation and communicate with the Haitian Red Cross and International Federation for future immediate action.
Haiti National Red Cross
The Haiti National Red Cross is providing first aid and helping to evacuate the injured. It is working with Red Cross partners in Haiti to perform assessments of damage, identify needs and coordinate the Red Cross response.
International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation)
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation) has released a Preliminary Emergency Appeal for US $10 million to help meet the immediate needs of 100,000 people. In addition to deploying a Field Assessment Coordination Team (FACT), the International Federation has mobilized nine Emergency Response Units to provide support in logistics, relief and shelter, water and sanitation and health care, including specialists to meet basic health needs as well as provide complex care through a field hospital. Logistics specialists arriving today will be focusing on laying the groundwork for response by identifying staging areas for supplies, warehouses, health units and hospitals - all critical to successfully implement the large scale response operation planned by the Red Cross. The International Federation has activated its Pan American Disaster Response Unit (PADRU) to provide supplies from its warehouse in Panama. The Red Cross is working with airport authorities to transport these relief items into Port-au-Prince. The International Federation is coordinating the global Red Cross network response with the UN and other relief agencies.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
The ICRC is coordinating family tracing activities and will be focusing on helping people affected by the disaster in Haiti communicate with family members. Additionally, it will help manage the remains of the dead as well as provide medical care and assistance in places of detention. The ICRC has been distributing relief supplies from its limited stocks in Port au Prince. Friends and family interested in the whereabouts of loved ones in Haiti may register at www.icrc.org.
United Nations and Government Response
United Nations
The UN has released $10 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) and a Flash Appeal is under development. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is mobilizing a United Nations Disaster and Assessment Team (UNDAC) as well as staff from its regional office in Panama. Multiple UN agencies are active on the ground, including the World Health Organization and the World Food Programme.
I am also encouraging individuals and organizations to donate money the easy way: Text 'Yele' to 501501 and make a $5 contribution to Wyclef John's organization (Ambassador to Haiti) for the relief effort over cell phone.
Also, you can help the victims of countless crises, like the recent earthquake in Haiti, 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. The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate your donation to a specific disaster, please do so at the time of your donation by mailing your donation with the designation to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to your local American Red Cross chapter. Donations to the International Response Fund can be made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org.
Text "HAITI" to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross relief efforts.
CARE
People can go to the website www.care.org
CARE is deploying additional emergency team members to the devastated city of Port-au-Prince in Haiti, where the worst earthquake in 200 years destroyed houses and left thousands homeless. While the exact death toll from yesterday’s 7.0-magnitude quake is not yet known, it is expected to be catastrophic.
Early reports from the media and CARE staff report that the capital city is in ruins. Most of the buildings have collapsed, including hospitals, homes and schools.
"We’re particularly worried about the children, because so many schools seem to have collapsed,"” said Sophia Perez, CARE’s country director in Haiti. "In Haiti, children go to school in the afternoon. Children were still in school when the earthquake hit, so there are many children trapped. It's horrifying."
Your gift to CARE today will help us support survivors of this deadly disaster.
Additional Assistance
Biofuels Racing Alliance - Offering Logistical Support (Transport, Drop Off and Pick Up Coordination)
If BFRA can be of assist to you in the coordination and logistics of your own relief efforts, please let us know.
Again, if you are planning on making any monetary donation in the short term, please consider Wyclef Jean's organization, if you do not have a way to support a Haitian family directly. Wyclef truly was at work before now, and is promising to assist directly with efforts on the ground. Here is more information on the Yele Haiti Relief Fund effort.
BFRA will also be supporting localized clothing and personal care drives thoughout the southeast region of the U.S. all the way to Miami and ultimately will be supporting energy and power generation needs in Haiti. If BFRA can be of assistance in helping you and your organizations link in to growing local efforts on the ground in Haiti, please let us know.
Thank you all, for all that you do always.
CONTACT: John F. Christmas, Esq.
Biofuels Racing Alliance (Chairman)
"The Future of Motorsports is Now!"
www.biofuelsracing.com
www.bfra.eyecongraffix.com
(770) 374-8294 (direct dial)
johnchristmas@biofuelsracing.com
|
