On January 12, a series of earthquakes ranging from magnitude 6.5 to 7.3 struck Haiti. Approximately 57 significant aftershocks have occurred. This is already the largest, single-country, relief operation in global Red Cross history in terms of number of Red Cross emergency relief teams deployed. While the relief operation continues to focus on meeting the immediate needs of survivors, the American Red Cross and our global partners are beginning to develop longer-term recovery plans.

Key Developments

The Red Cross response is expanding into areas outside of Port-au-Prince to the heavily damaged cities of Jacmel and Leogane as three Relief Emergency Response Units (ERUs) distribute relief supplies in those communities.

According to the UN, the port of Port-au-Prince has been declared unsafe for incoming ships following an in-depth assessment. Landing crafts are being used to offl oad boats, but these are operating with very limited capacity.

Current Situation

• Health – Approximately 1,200 patients are being seen per day at Red Cross health facilities, with around 4,000 patients seen to date. Epidemiological surveillance has begun as well as psychological support and hygiene promotion.
• Water and Sanitation – The water and sanitation team is working to identify sewage pumping capacity within Port-au-Prince and in the Dominican Republic while investigating the purchase of additional trucks from the private sector.
• Food – The World Food Programme reports that since January 12, it has delivered food aid to more than 580,000 people through the distribution of nearly 16 million meals. A gradual transition from general food distributions to food- and cash-for-work activities is planned, as relief gives way to recovery. The agricultural team is monitoring prices in areas receiving displaced urban populations, and there are indications of significant price increases for the main food items.
• Shelter and Relief Items – The main challenges for addressing the needs for shelter are: scarcity of open space in Port-au-Prince; uncertainty regarding the security of remaining buildings; density of the population; difficulties with host families; and the approaching rainy season. The combination of immediate shelter assistance with more durable settlement solutions also remains a challenge. A 3,000 person planned settlement site at Tabarre in Port-au-Prince is almost completed and the fi rst families are expected to arrive in the coming days.
• Logistics – The seaport has been declared unsafe for incoming ships. Rio Haina in Dominican Republic is still the recommended entry point for sea shipment. Port-au-Prince airport is operating at peak capacity with an average of 120 incoming flights per day. The second Red Cross warehouse in Port-au-Prince is now operational and dedicated to relief and shelter supplies, while the first warehouse focuses on ERU needs. The amount of relief supplies from the Red Cross pipeline available for distribution is increasing daily. However, the arrival and management of unsolicited relief items is a growing concern that affects capacity. In addition, another warehouse in Santo Domingo is now operational and will increase logistics capacity for supplies arriving via Dominican Republic. To date, a total of 56 Red Cross relief flights have landed in SantoDomingo and Haiti.
• Migration – Individuals with family in non-affected regions continue to take advantage of the Haitian government’s free transport service to leave Port-au-Prince. As of January 29, an estimated 341,000 people had left for outlying areas, with one-third going to the Artibonite area.

The Red Cross Response

More than 500 Red Cross Red Crescent workers from at least 30 countries have been deployed, including two ERUs from the American Red Cross as well as additional disaster specialists in logistics, communications, shelter and recovery. The American Red Cross has already spent or committed more than $67 million to meet the most urgent needs of earthquake survivors. The growing Red Cross response is being guided by lessons learned during the response to the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami which affected 14 countries. Recovery planning is beginning now, with a Red Cross cross-functional team that includes an American Red Cross recovery specialist. Recovery planning will occur with collaboration of the Government of Haiti and key development partners including the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, and the UN. Because of the generosity of donors, people in Haiti will receive more than immediate relief—they will receive resources, support and training from the Red Cross that will help them recover and rebuild for years to come.

How You Can Help

The American Red Cross continues to accept gifts designated to the ongoing response to the earthquakes in Haiti, but asks that donors consider making a gift to the International Response Fund. Donors 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). Internet users can make a secure online contribution by visiting redcross.org.