Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Haiti Earthquake: Relief Update #8


Aid is still getting into Haiti despite a new aftershock this morning and enormous logistical challenges. View photos of the relief effort.
  • The Red Cross has now been able to reach survivors outside the capital city, providing first aid in camps and prioritizing the need for food, water and other basic supplies.

  • Red Cross responders from seven countries are also treating injuries and performing surgery at hospitals and medical centers throughout the capital city.

  • More than 70 American Red Cross Creole-speaking volunteers have been trained and will soon join the USNS Comfort offshore in Haiti to translate for patients receiving medical care from the U.S. military.

  • Red Cross teams are focused on purifying the water supply available in the country and expect to deliver clean drinking water to 200,000 to 400,000 people each day by truck.

  • The American Red Cross is providing approximately 3 million pre-packaged meals in partnership with the World Food Program in Haiti. More than 100 truckloads of meals will leave Miami by air in the next few days and are expected to arrive in Haiti this weekend.

  • In the days ahead, the Red Cross will provide tents and shelter supplies for an initial 20,000 families in Haiti.

  • So far, 100 tons of Red Cross aid has arrived in Haiti. Planes and trucks carrying Red Cross humanitarian assistance are arriving in the region every day.

American Red Cross President and CEO Gail McGovern visited relief operations in Haiti yesterday to help coordinate aid distribution. She witnessed the extensive damage and need as well as the growing presence of Red Cross services. She has begun planning for a multi-year recovery operation with other Red Cross leaders from around the world and heads of state from the region.

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