Red Cross relief supplies continue to arrive in Haiti

Feb. 8, 2010 ---

Red Cross relief supplies continue to arrive in Haiti, and more aid is reaching the survivors in the capital city and outlying areas, although the needs remain great.

As of January 29, more than 56 flights carrying Red Cross aid from around the world have arrived in Haiti.
The deep community presence of the Haitian Red Cross has allowed Red Cross responders to distribute aid in an orderly and efficient manner. They visit the community in advance to alert them that aid is coming and vouchers are then handed out; later, the Red Cross returns to hand out supplies at a pre-determined location to recipients who wait in line to receive them.
This is already the largest single-country relief operation in global Red Cross history in terms of emergency relief teams deployed. The number of teams in or en route to Haiti is greater than the number that responded to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which spanned 14 countries.

The American Red Cross has spent or committed more than $67 million to meet the most urgent needs of earthquake survivors.

During this critical phase of the relief operation, the American Red Cross is focusing on three areas through its emergency responders and nonprofit partners:

Sending food to those in need, including 3 million pre-packaged meals and funding for World Food Program efforts that will enable them to feed up to 1 million people for a month.
Providing clean drinking water, including 4.2 million liters distributed to date at more than 115 sites. Each day, the Red Cross is distributing enough water for 100,000 people.
Distributing shelter items to thousands of people, including blankets, tarps, sleeping mats and tents.

Because of the generosity of donors, people in Haiti will receive more than immediate relief — they will receive resources, support and training from the Red Cross that will help them recover and rebuild for years to come.

People can donate in support of the relief effort in Haiti at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. Mobile donors can text “Haiti” to 90999 to make a $10 contribution.