After this weekend, there is significant progress to report in terms of the American Red Cross response in Haiti. Right now, more than 400 Red Cross workers from around the world as well as several thousands of local volunteers are addressing urgent needs and mobilizing a massive operation in Haiti.

I know there have been many news reports about the "bottleneck" effect of having only one operational runway at the airport in Port-au-Prince. While those reports are true, I can tell you this weekend several Red Cross planes and trucks landed in the region, delivering a field hospital and much needed materials such as tarps, blankets, hygiene items, buckets, shelter supplies and more. Three more shipments are expected today and tomorrow in the Dominican Republic before being trucked into Haiti.

Haitian Red Cross volunteer Jean Zacharie delivers first aid to 1 month old- Deborah Fatima, mother died in quake. Photo Credit: American Red Cross/Talia Frenkel

First aid posts have been set up in the streets, outside the damaged American Red Cross office, where volunteers are working to clean and stitch up wounds amidst the rubble. The Red Cross is treating crush injuries and triaging people or surgery outside a hospital in Port-au-Prince.

Sanitation is another major issue.  The Red Cross has built latrines to help deal with the sanitation concerns.

As of yesterday, more than 22,000 people had registered with a special website to help find missing relatives. The Red Cross has family linking specialists in Haiti working to reconnect families now.

Given what we've seen over the last week, we know this will be a costly and long-term operation. Terrible times tend to bring out the best in people, and given the outpouring of generosity from across the world, we are grateful for the support shown to the American Red Cross.

People can still donate in support of the relief effort at www.redcross.org or by calling our local chapter at 314.516.2800. Mobile donors can text "Haiti" to 9099 to make a $10 contribution.

Thanks for your support,

Michael

Michael Braeuninger is the supervisor of international services for the St. Louis Area Chapter.