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Sharon,
I cannot express what I feel watching and reading about the devastation Tuesday's earthquake left in its wake across Haiti. However, I am filled with such pride as I watch how quickly the American Red Cross and our humanitarian partners have responded. We know there are going to be long days ahead as relief workers dig through rubble to find survivors and begin to meet urgent needs such as food, water and medical care.
We have only been able to do this because of your support. You opened your hearts and gave so generously. In the 48 hours since the earthquake struck in Haiti, the American Red Cross has received nearly $37 million in donations, and we are thankful for this unprecedented outpouring of support.
Helping Victims of Disaster
Photography by:
Matthew Marek/American Red CrossWatch Press Conference
Gail McGovern
American Red Cross PresidentIn addition to the $37 million raised for the International Response Fund, the American Red Cross is also committing operational support as part of the international response efforts to Haiti, including:
- Coordinating with local and international partners to overcome the logistical challenges and bring aid into the country.
- Ready to deploy relief supplies, including blankets, tarps, cooking sets and hygiene items, from our warehouse in Panama as soon as ports begin accepting relief shipments and commercial flights.
- Conducting assessments to determine levels of damage, specific needs and available resources. An American Red Cross disaster specialist arrived yesterday to Port-au-Prince, to support these efforts.
- Laying the groundwork for the coming massive relief distribution operation to help establish a system to transport relief items from regional Red Cross warehouses in Panama to those in need.
- The International Committee of the Red Cross has established a special Web site, enabling persons in Haiti and abroad to search for and register the names of relatives missing since the earthquake: www.icrc.org/familylinks. Within 24 hours of its launch, more than 6,000 visited the site looking for loved ones.
- Provided blood and blood products to the US Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. That blood, requested by the US Navy, was shipped by the US Navy to their facilities at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of Haitian evacuees and patients.
However, the journey of recovery has only just begun. Without a doubt, the people of Haiti have a long road ahead of them. Yet, the American Red Cross will help them along the way with your support. Together, we can transform this moment of crisis into a moment of hope. Please step up to support relief efforts in Haiti today by making a financial contribution. You can:
- Make a TEXT Donation from your cell phone by texting the word "HAITI" to 90999. A $10 gift will go directly to the Red Cross.
- Make a financial donation through the International Response Fund.
- Visit any Lowe's store or Kroger Stores to drop off a financial donation.
- For more ideas on how to help, go to newsroom.redcross.org.
If you have already contributed, you can continue your support by sharing this email with family, friends and coworkers. You can also stay up to the minute by following us on Twitter ( @RedCrossDallas) or Facebook (American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter).
Please remember that the journey to recovery has only begun. In 2004, when a massive tsunami devastated parts of Southeast Asia and East Africa, the American Red Cross received $581 million from generous donors worldwide. As of October 31, 2009, just five years later, $513 million had been spent in support of relief and recovery activities. Thankfully, the recovery has largely been accomplished. We want to be there in a similar way for the people of Haiti.
I am never as proud to work for the American Red Cross as in moments like this. I want to thank everyone for being so committed to helping deliver relief, comfort and hope to the people of Haiti.
Together, we are changing lives.
Sincerely,
Chief Executive Officer
American Red Cross-Dallas Area Chapter
