The American Red Cross has released $1,000,000 to assist with disaster relief efforts in earthquake-affected Haiti. Six disaster management specialists are being deployed to the affected area to join American Red Cross staff already present. Priority needs at this time include food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.
The American Red Cross has already made available relief supplies from its warehouse in Panama which would provide basic assistance for approximately 5,000 families.
At this time, we are only deploying Red Cross volunteers specially trained to manage international emergency operations. Those who are interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer are asked to contact the chapter through our website or by phone.
Those with families or friends in the affected area may register them on the Family Links program as a method to attempt contact. The website, administered by the International Committee of the Red Cross, is reachable at www.icrc.org/familylinks.
Those interested in supporting relief efforts may donate at www.redcross.org or www.saredcross.org by clicking on Donate Now and choosing International Response Fund. They may also call 1-800-REDCROSS or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) or mail donations to the San Antonio Area Chapter of the American Red Cross at 3642 East Houston Street, San Antonio Texas 78219. The public can also help by texting “Haiti” to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. All funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti; the contribution will be charged to the user’s phone bill.
“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 at the address above. Please mark your donation with the following language: AP 2885, Haiti Relief and Development.”
