Haiti & Chile Earthquake Responses:
     What we're doing and how YOU can help!

Example of supplies that have been sent to Haiti from American Red Cross warehouses in Panama

Chilean officials report that more than 2 million people have been affected by the earthquake and approximately 1.5 million houses may have sustained damage.  Water and electricity have been severely restricted or cut off and communications systems are down.  On March 8, the Chilian government revised the quake death toll to 528, although that is expected to rise as more bodies are found and the victims identified.  In Haiti, approximately three million people have been affected by the quake, which collapsed government buildings and caused major damage to hospitals in the area and has left people without food, water, medical services and shelter.  An estimated 212,000 people were killed in the cataclysmic Haitian earthquake according to government estimates.

The American Red Cross has worked collaboratively to assist the local Red Cross organization in Haiti and Chile, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies response.  The Haitian Red Cross and Chilean Red Cross have the lead roles in their local disasters but the the American Red Cross is usually called upon to bring our expertise and resources to assist.  As of March 8, the ARC has had limited involvement in Chile.  The Henderson County chapter's main role has been getting local contributions to channeled into the disaster relief efforts.

“The response from our community has been incredible and really serves to remind us of the power of human good will.  Everyone seems to want to help," said Mike Williams, Executive Director.  The American Red Cross is urging those who want to help to consider making monetary donations.  Williams explains “money can provide the means for bringing in clean water, food and medical services; it will help the rescue and rebuilding process and pay for establishing temporary shelter for displaced victims.”

You can support these international response efforts in the following ways:

• Bring or mail your financial donation to your local Red Cross.  We're located at 203 Second Avenue East (across the street from the Henderson County courthouse)
• Call 828-693-5605 for a credit card contribution and designate your donation to the International Relief Fund (or you can specify Haiti Relief or Chile Relief)  The International Relief Fund is an on-going fund that will support this disaster and other international disasters as they occur.
• Call our Washington DC office at 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767) or give on-line at www.redcross.org.
• Call 1-800-257-7575 for Spanish language assistance in making your donation.
• Text either “HAITI” or "CHILE" to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in the designated country.
• Please consider making a contribution to the Henderson County Chapter to help us support these International responses as well as the on-going local disasters. (storm shelters, fires, etc.) 
• The American Red Cross honors donor intent and gifts will always be used as directed by the donor. 
• The American Red Cross is not able to accept "in-kind" contributions for this response (such as clothing, water and supplies) from individuals or community groups.  Read more...
• We do not anticipate sending volunteer workers for these international disasters at this time.
• First Lady Michelle Obama urges Americans "we can all do something, we can support the American Red Cross!"

Photos from Haiti earthquake disaster:

Copyright © 2010 Henderson County Red Cross