updated Feb. 25, 2010

In just over one month since the earthquake in Haiti, the Red Cross has helped more than 1.3 million people and will continue to aid hundreds of thousands more in the months ahead until the last donated dollar is spent.

Due to the many complexities of this disaster – and the extraordinary needs of the Haitian people – the emergency relief phase could last for up to 12 months. And because of its permanent presence in Haiti, the Red Cross expects to be involved in recovery efforts for much longer than that.

Locally, the American Red Cross in Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe and Palm Beach counties has assisted 13,694 US citizens who have been flown to South Florida by the United States government, served 9,885 meals and offered mental health services and support to 1,932people.

Other developments include:

Shelter:

This is one the most challenging and complex relief operations in recent Red Cross history. We are deeply concerned about the rapidly approaching rain and hurricane seasons. Among the many complicating factors is the tremendous amount of rubble which must be cleared away before transitional shelters, requiring more open space than is currently available, can be built.

Initially, the Red Cross plans to provide emergency shelter supplies – tents, tarps or tools – for 400,000 people (approximately 1/3rd of the estimated 1.2 million in need of shelter) before the rainy season officially begins. We have already provided these items to nearly 139,000 people (27,000 families) and thousands more shelter supplies will be distributed in the days ahead.  We have also begun to provide transitional shelter supplies with timber to families in Leogane and Port-au-Prince.

Looking ahead, Red Cross shelter experts are working with the Haitian community to identify appropriate transitional shelter options for 150,000 of the most vulnerable people before the Caribbean hurricane season starts.

Food & Relief Supplies:

Volunteers from around the world, including those from the American Red Cross, are actively distributing food and other supplies, like tarps, rope, hygiene kits, water containers and cooking items. So far, at least 1.3 million people have received these basic, yet life-sustaining items.

Distributions continue regularly throughout urban settlements and in surrounding areas reaching approximately 12,000 people each day.

Water & Sanitation:

The Red Cross has delivered more than 25 million liters of safe drinking water in 110 different settlements since the earthquake. That translates to approximately 1.25 million liters per day – enough for 320,000 people.

To address sanitation needs and prevent the spread of disease, the Red Cross and its partners have collectively set up 2,600 latrines to date.

These latrines will service 130,000 people. The interim plan is for the Red Cross and its partners to provide a total of 12,950 latrines by April and another 21,950 between May and October. Specifically, the Red Cross has built 570 latrines in 12 settlements. Most aid organizations estimate that a total of 1.1 million displaced people in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas require emergency latrines.

Health:

The Red Cross has delivered more than 25 million liters of safe drinking water in 110 different settlements since the earthquake. That translates to approximately 1.25 million liters per day – enough for 320,000 people.

To address sanitation needs and prevent the spread of disease, the Red Cross and its partners have collectively set up 2,600 latrines to date.

These latrines will service 130,000 people. The interim plan is for the Red Cross and its partners to provide a total of 12,950 latrines by April and another 21,950 between May and October. Specifically, the Red Cross has built 570 latrines in 12 settlements. Most aid organizations estimate that a total of 1.1 million displaced people in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas require emergency latrines.

Restoring Family Links:

The Red Cross has the unique responsibility and expertise to help reconnect separated families in Haiti.

Caseworkers are helping people register at the official family linking Web site, place phone calls to loved ones abroad and find family members scattered throughout different settlements in Port-au-Prince. So far, nearly 33,000 people have been assisted in this way.

The American Red Cross is also supporting Haitian-Americans and others living in the United States who are looking for immediate relatives in Haiti.

The humanitarian aid pipeline is opening wider but logistical problems continue and the needs in Haiti are immense. Red Cross teams are assessing ways to meet immediate needs and also how to provide long-term recovery assistance, such as continued provision of household supplies and addressing emergency shelter.

You can donate in support of the relief effort in Haiti at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS. Mobile donors can text “Haiti” to 90999 to make a $10 contribution.  Donations can be sent to the American Red Cross P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or made by phone by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or online by clicking here.