Friends of Haiti.US Pledges Support to Haiti Relief

PRLog (Press Release) - Jan 14, 2010 -
NEW JERSEY, January 13, 2010 – The USA Friends of Haiti (http://friendsofhaiti.us) is sending money, supplies and staff to Haiti to support relief efforts there after yesterday’s earthquake, which caused catastrophic damage and loss of life.
According to reports, as many as three million people may have been affected by the quake, which collapsed government buildings and caused major damage to hospitals in the area.
The USA Friends of Haiti is contributing from the International Response Fund to support the relief operation, and will opens several staging locations in the Tri-Sate (NY, NJ, CT ) and Pennsylvania to collect canned products, products in plastic and box containers, clothes and other basic commodities needed to support at least approximately 5,000 families.
In addition USA Friends of Haiti has a sister organization with staff already in Haiti. USA Friends of Haiti is currently signing up volunteers and specialists in disaster management for deployment in the disaster zone and to help coordinate relief efforts. At this time, USA Friends of Haiti (FriendsofHaiti.US)  is only deploying volunteers specially trained to manage international emergency operations.
There has been an outpouring of support from the public. To help, people can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at http://www.friendsofhaiti.us/donate.htm.

Debris and collapsed bridges are making access to many areas extremely difficult. Telephone service and electricity are out in many places. The priority remains to provide food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.

While communication with those in Haiti is still difficult, people should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 if trying to reach a U.S. citizen living or traveling in Haiti. If trying to reach a Haitian citizen, callers should continue to call or contact other family members who live nearby.
People in the U.S. or Canada with information or inquiries about U.S. citizens in Haiti may reach the Haiti Task Force at 888-407-4747. Outside of the U.S. and Canada, call 202-501-4444.

Americans in Haiti can call the Embassy’s Consular Task Force at 509-2229-8942, 509-2229-8089, 509-2229-8322, or 509-2229-8672. Americans are urged to contact the Embassy via email to request assistance.



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