Thinking about Haiti?
January 13, 2010
St. Charles County, MO
by Kris Kolk
As many as three million people may have been affected by yesterday’s earthquake in Haiti according to the American Red Cross website.
How can you help?
The U. S. State Department has set up an easy way to contribute to the relief effort:
Send a $10 donation by texting “Haiti” to 90999.
The public may also make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).
No one knows a firm count, but thousands, maybe 100,000 or even 500,000 may be dead, according to news reports.
Government buildings and hospitals have collapsed or been heavily damaged. It is reported that a prison “fell down” and some inmates may have escaped.
The American Red Cross had fifteen staff members already stationed in Haiti providing HIV/AIDS prevention and disaster preparedness programs. These people are reported to be safe. In addition to the Red Cross members already stationed there, the organization is also sending six disaster management specialists to help coordinate efforts.
An initial $1 million has been contributed by the Red Cross from the International Response Fund. The Red Cross warehouse in Panama is also open to provide tarps, cooking sets and mosquito nets to about 5,000 families.
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