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Kenley Phillipe, 3, with supplies distributed by the American Red Cross in Croix Desprez, Port au Prince. January 20. Photo: Talia Frenkel/American Red Cross
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“Slow but determined” is the best way to describe the movement of relief supplies into Haiti and on the ground. The existing infrastructure has simply been stretched to its limit. Still, help is getting through. This is remarkable considering that the Haiti relief effort is the largest operation undertaken by the International Federation of the Red Cross in its 90 year history. Red Cross national chapters from as far away as Japan and Russia, and nearly every national Red Cross in the region surrounding Haiti have been mobilized. And bear in mind; the Red Cross is but one of many international organizations on the ground in Haiti. So, one can imagine the enormous logistical challenges.
Add to this the matter of security and challenge mounts further still. Fortunately, as we heard from our national CEO, Gail McGovern, the Haitian people have been patient and peaceful during this tragedy. In the majority, the Haitian communities are holding strong and demonstrating a remarkable degree of resilience. That’s why I wanted to share with you Gail’s remarks following her recent visit to Haiti.
"I was in Haiti on Tuesday and I can tell you that this is a devastating disaster with widespread extensive damage. Many buildings are pancaked flat, the streets are filled with rubble and people. The infrastructure of the country is severely damaged – airports, ports and roads – making it very difficult to get aid in.
It was one of the most frustrating things I’ve ever seen in my life.
But there are glimmers of progress. Despite all of these logjams and bottlenecks, things are getting through. But it’s slow. The pipeline of getting materials into Haiti was a straw only a few days ago, and now it’s a garden hose, but we need it to become a fire hose.
Even with the challenges, we are truly making a difference.
I saw American Red Cross staff, armed with first aid kits, going out to treat people. They have a truck and a door that they were using as a stretcher, and they were taking injured to a field hospital run by Red Cross. Every time a Red Cross truck would go through the streets, the people would clear the way to let it pass.
The American Red Cross is in Haiti as part of the broader and coordinated Red Cross and Red Crescent network. We all have our roles; we all have our expertise, and we’re all working together. That is a very powerful engine for relief.
But what struck me most were the people of Haiti. In the area we visited, several hundred families were living under makeshift tents of sheets, blankets, plastic – anything they could drape over something for a little shelter.
They were patient, not pushing for water or food. But they need our help.
I feel like I left a piece of my heart in Haiti, and please know that the Red Cross is going to do whatever we can to help the people of Haiti, both in the short term but also as part of what we know will be a vast and long-term recovery for this nation and its people."
To contribute to the Haiti relief effort,
donate online, call 1-800-REDCROSS, or text “HAITI” to 90999 to make a $10 contribution. And as always, for the latest photos and situational updates visit the National Disaster Online Newsroom at
http://newsroom.redcross.org/.
Thank you and stay tuned,
Michael
Michael Braeuninger is the International Services Supervisor for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.