Initial reports indicate a high number of casualties with widespread damage and collapsed buildings, creating an urgent need for search and rescue activities. As many as three million people may be affected.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation), as well as UN agencies and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) are deploying teams to coordinate humanitarian assistance and provide search and rescue services.

The American Red Cross is releasing US $1 million for immediate response needs. It is also deploying a Relief Emergency Response Unit team and has an additional specialist en route.

The International Federation has deployed additional Emergency Response Unit teams for Relief, Telecommunications, Logistics, Health/Mobile Hospital and Logistics, as well as a Field Assessment and Coordination Team (FACT).

Current Situation

Damage - The capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, has been severely affected including critical city infrastructure such as electricity, water and phone services. Initial reports indicate a large number of casualties and widespread damage. According to preliminary reports, many Red Cross, UN and government buildings have collapsed or have been damaged. Populations may also be affected in Carrefour and Jacmel. 

Access - The Port-au-Prince International Airport is closed to commercial traffic, but remains open for official use. Thousands of earthquake survivors are clogging roadways, hindering the ability of rescue workers to reach those trapped beneath rubble. Transportation disruptions are expected to deteriorate. 

Power - There is a near-total blackout in Port-au-Prince; the power grid has been significantly damaged, and sporadic blackouts have begun to spread across the island. Those with generators could run out of fuel before nightfall, further limiting electricity availability. 

Communications – Due to limited electricity, communications are difficult with phone lines and cellular infrastructure down. 

Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Response 

American Red Cross

The American Red Cross is actively responding to this disaster, and will be working with Red Cross partners in Haiti and with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. At this time, the American Red Cross had pledged the following: 

The American Red Cross has released US $1 million for immediate response activities. 

At the International Federation’s request, the American Red Cross is deploying a five-member Relief Emergency Response Unit (ERU) to manage the distribution of relief

items to earthquake survivors. In addition, it has a disaster specialist en route to Haiti to support disaster assessments conducted by the International Federation’s FACT team. 

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. 

The American Red Cross has staff on the ground in Haiti and is working to obtain detailed information on current humanitarian needs. In addition, experienced disaster specialists are standing by to be deployed upon request. 

The American Red Cross will continue to monitor the situation and communicate with the Haitian Red Cross and International Federation for future immediate action. 

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation) 

The International Federation has deployed a number of Emergency Response Units for Relief, Telecommunications, Logistics, Health/Mobile Hospital and Logistics, as well as a Field Assessment and Coordination Team. 

The International Federation has activated its Pan American Disaster Unit in Panama to provide supplies from its warehouse as needs and response options are identified. 

It is coordinating the global Red Cross network response with UN and other 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. 

Frederick County  Chapter American Red Cross

“We are not accepting volunteers to travel to Haiti. If you would like to volunteer for or be involved with the American Red Cross and provide humanitarian assistance we are accepting local volunteers to provide Red Cross services here in Frederick County, please contact the Frederick County  Chapter 301-662-5131,” said Judy Peterson, Supervisor Chapter Operations.  We have a continual need for compassionate volunteers to respond to our local disasters which seem to be increasing due to the stint of cold weather. We have a plethora of volunteer opportunities to meet anyone’s interest and time commitment.  Should there be a desire to contribute financially to the Haiti event or the local disasters we are accepting those contributions at the Frederick County Chapter”, Peterson continued. 

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 in times of disaster. 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 1-888-407-4747 or 202-647-5225. 

You can help the victims of countless crises 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. Donations to the International Response Fund can be sent to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone at 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or online at www.redcross.org.

Financial donations are always accepted at the Frederick County Chapter Office.

 Red Cross, we’re more than you know!