red cross in haiti

The Red Cross Red Crescent response to the January 12 Earthquake

January 27

The situation

The Red Cross Red Cross Crescent is now reaching out to communities and people in large parts of Port-au-Prince and other major hit cities like Carrefour, Jacmel and Leogane.

The main priorities are access to clean water, health care and treatment, sanitation, shelter and non-food relief items to meet immediate needs.

Haiti Red Cross gave first aid and assistance immediately after the earthquake struck, and is at the core of planning, coordination and implementation of the operation.

More than 12 national RCRC Societies have sent aid workers and relief to the country, and National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on all continents are actively fundraising in support of our operations.

Relief distributed per January 27:

    * Red Cross Red Crescent daily provides clean and safe water to 100,000 people.
    * Water distribution points are set up in 68 camps in Port-au-Prince and Leogane.
    * Up to 700 patients are treated every day on basic health clinic and field hospitals. A shift from emergency related treatment to non earthquake related treatment is taking place.
    * More than 3,300 patients have been treated since the first Rapid Deployment Hospital was operational on January 17.
    * 50,000 people have received non food-items such as blankets, kitchen sets, tarpaulins, tents, jerry cans and hygiene sets.
    * Over 500 metric tons of goods received. 20 Emergency Response Units, including health, water, sanitation, relief and logistics.

First reports from the ongoing UNDAC all-sector assessment outside of Port-au-Prince, confirm massive needs for shelter, sanitation and food, but also for health services and safe water.

The focus now must be to thinking about and planning for early recovery and reconstruction if Haitians are to rebuild their lives and livelihoods and move on to a safer, more resilient future. The Red Cross Red Crescent will assist up to 60,000 families (300,000 people) over a period of 3 years.