Troops
and planeloads of food and medicine streamed into Haiti Thursday to aid
a traumatized nation still rattled by aftershocks from the catastrophic
earthquake that flattened homes and government buildings and buried
countless people. The Haitian Red Cross said it believed 45,000 to
50,000 people had died and 3 million more -- one third of Haiti's
population -- were hurt or left homeless by the major 7.0 magnitude
quake that hit its impoverished capital on Tuesday.     

Priority needs are food, water, shelter, medical help

National Headquarters

2025 E Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20006

www.redcross.org

Contact: Public Affairs Desk
FOR MEDIA ONLY

media@usa.redcross.org

Phone: (202) 303-5551

Vancouver Thursday, January 14, 2010 —

With estimates that as many as three million people may be affected
by the catastrophic earthquake which hit Haiti Tuesday, the American
Red Cross is releasing an additional $9 million for earthquake relief,
bringing its total commitment so far to $10 million to support relief
efforts in Haiti.

Priority needs in Haiti are food, water, temporary shelter, medical
services and emotional support.  Thousands of local Red Cross
volunteers are aiding their fellow Haitians.  American Red Cross
Disaster management specialists are scheduled to arrive today from the
United States, Peru and Mexico to join local Red Cross staff already on
the ground in the disaster zone.  As soon as airports begin accepting
relief shipments, tarps, hygiene items and cooking sets for
approximately 5,000 families will come from the Red Cross Canada