Initial reports indicate a high number of casualties with widespread damage and collapsed buildings, creating an urgent need for search and rescue activities. As many as three million people may be affected.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (International Federation), as well as UN agencies and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) are deploying teams to coordinate humanitarian assistance and provide search and rescue services.
The American Red Cross is releasing US $1 million for immediate response needs. It is also deploying a Relief Emergency Response Unit team and has an additional specialist en route.
The International Federation has deployed additional Emergency Response Unit teams for Relief, Telecommunications, Logistics, Health/Mobile Hospital and Logistics, as well as a Field Assessment and Coordination Team (FACT).
Current Situation
Damage – The capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, has been severely affected including critical city infrastructure such as electricity, water and phone services. Initial reports indicate a large number of casualties and widespread damage. According to preliminary reports, many Red Cross, UN and government buildings have collapsed or have been damaged. Populations may also be affected in Carrefour and Jacmel.
Access – The Port-au-Prince International Airport is closed to commercial traffic, but remains open for official use. Thousands of earthquake survivors are clogging roadways, hindering the ability of rescue workers to reach those trapped beneath rubble. Transportation disruptions are expected to deteriorate.
Power – There is a near-total blackout in Port-au-Prince; the power grid has been significantly damaged, and sporadic blackouts have begun to spread across the island. Those with generators could run out of fuel before nightfall, further limiting electricity availability.
Communications – Due to limited electricity, communications are difficult with phone lines and cellular infrastructure down.
The American Red Cross is actively responding to this disaster, and will be working with Red Cross partners in Haiti and with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. At this time, the American Red Cross had pledged the following:
The American Red Cross has released US $1 million for immediate response activities.
At the International Federation’s request, the American Red Cross is deploying a five-member Relief Emergency Response Unit (ERU) to manage the distribution of relief items to earthquake survivors. In addition, it has a disaster specialist en route to Haiti to support disaster assessments conducted by the International Federation’s FACT team.
The American Red Cross has made available all relief supplies stored at its warehouse in Panama. T
