People Needing to Trace Relatives in Haiti Should Call 1-888-407-4747

The American Red Cross has pledged $1 Million to the Haitian earthquake relief effort. The organization also plans to send relief supplies from its warehouses in Panama that will help about 5,000 families. "There is an enormous need for food, water, temporary shelter and medical services," stated Reggie Gordon, CEO of the Greater Richmond Chapter. "We are also being very proactive in reaching out to our local Haitian communities in an effort to support them through this." The Chapter is contacting other agencies and communities of faith with Haitian ties to survey needs.

For example, the Red Cross has mental health volunteers, professionally trained counselors, who can meet with people who have relatives that they cannot locate in Haiti.

People needing to locate relatives living in Haiti should call the U.S. Department of State at 1-888-407-4747. Department staff will take information, but communications with Haiti is very limited at this time.

"The American Red Cross has an extensive relationship with the Haitian Red Cross and employs several people in Haiti who are directly involved when the earthquake struck," continued Gordon. "Our main focus on a local level is to connect with Haitian people in Central Virginia to help them through this. Not knowing the status of someone you love can be unbearable and we do not want anyone facing that alone."

Donations to the Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund can be mailed to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 655, Richmond, Virginia 23218, be made on line at www.greaterrichmond.redcross.org or by calling 804-780-2250.