The American Red Cross has pledged an initial $1 million to assist communities affected by yesterday's earthquake in Haiti, and is prepared to take further action as local responders assess the situation. The American Red Cross response will be coordinated with the Haitian Red Cross and other partners in Haiti and with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

The American Red Cross:

• Has staff on the ground in Haiti and is working to obtain information on the situation.
• Has made available all of the relief supplies from its warehouse in Panama, which would provide for basic needs for approximately 5,000 families. These supplies include blankets, kitchen sets and water containers to meet the immediate needs of survivors.
• Is deploying a disaster management specialist to Haiti, and has several experienced disaster specialists on standby if needed.
• Will continue to monitor and communicate with the Haitian Red Cross and the International Federation for immediate action.
• Has an extensive partnership with the Haitian Red Cross, which is expected to lead the Red Cross response to the earthquake. The Haitian Red Cross was founded in 1932 and is one of the primary organizations in the country responding to disasters. Although earthquakes are less common, Haiti is frequently affected by hurricanes including those in 2008, and the Haitian Red Cross has developed experience in disaster response due to those disasters.
• Is not accepting volunteers to travel to Haiti, nor is the Greater Indianapolis Red Cross sending volunteers.
• Does not anticipate in-kind donations for this international response.
• Is accepting monetary donations to support earthquake relief efforts in Haiti through the American Red Cross International Response Fund. Donations may be sent to the American Red Cross of Greater Indianapolis, 441 E. 10th St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-3388, made online at www.indyredcross.org/donate or by phone at 317-684-1441.

Communications are very difficult within Haiti at this time. 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. 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.

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 of Greater Indianapolis, 441 E. 10th St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-3388, made online at www.indyredcross.org/donate or by phone at 317-684-1441.