Michaelle Fleamvil carries blankets and supplies distributed by the American Red Cross at Croix Desprez. She is helped by Red Cross worker Matt Marek. January 20. Photo: Talia Frenkel/American Red Cross

As relief supplies continue to arrive in Haiti, although significant bottlenecks remain, The Red Cross is continually assessing the disaster relief operation. Not only is The American Red Cross assessing current needs of the Haitian community, but also long-term care.

As of today, the American Red Cross has spent or committed more than $67 million to meet the most urgent needs of earthquake survivors. During this emergency phase of the relief operation, the American Red Cross is focusing its resources on in several areas:

►Pre-packaged meals and funding for World Food Programme efforts; Today the Red Cross committed $30 million to the World Food Programme, which will support their effort to feed two million people in Haiti over the next six months.

►Supplies and funding needed to provide clean drinking water

►Shelter items such as blankets, tarps, sleeping mats and tents

►Health needs of Haitian survivors as well as support to Haitian families in Haiti and the US. This includes providing relief supplies, shipment of blood products, family linking services and providing Red Cross volunteers to the USNS Comfort.

It truly has been a remarkable Red Cross world wide effort. Exactly two weeks since the earthquake struck, more than 500 Red Cross and Red Crescent workers from around the world are in Haiti supporting thousands of local Red Cross volunteers.

And now a little part of the St. Louis community has made its way down to Haiti.

At the request of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the American Red Cross released 60,000 blankets to be shipped to Haiti. As the St. Louis Area Chapter Warehouse Manager, I got the call on Friday and our St. Louis volunteers have been behind the lines making sure we continue to support our team on the ground by shipping 20,000 blankets. The remaining 40,000 blankets came from 2 other Red Cross Chapters. Further supplies are being sent for staging in Florida, then on to Haiti. The St. Louis American Red Cross warehouse stands ready to assist in further logistical supplies as needed. 

So next time you’re watching the news and you see a Haitian earthquake survivor sleeping on a blanket or using it for shelter, just know a little part of the St. Louis community is making a big difference to those who need it most. And we couldn’t do it without you.

If you would like to contribute to the Haiti relief effort, donate online, call 1-800-REDCROSS, or text “HAITI” to 90999 to make a $10 contribution. For the latest photos and situational updates visit the National Disaster Online Newsroom at http://newsroom.redcross.org/.

Thanks for your support!

Tony

Tony Diaz is the Warehouse Manager for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.