Red Cross and Red Crescent societies from around the world have been mobilising the power of humanity in their respective countries in aid of the Haitian people.
Here in Haiti, Mr. Guetson Lamour, Administrator and Logistics Manager of the Haitian Red Cross is working around the clock to ensure that this tremendous show of solidarity can be absorbed and distributed as quickly as possible to the people who are most in need. The Haitian Red Cross is part of the national disaster committee and works closely with the government. This disaster has underscored the importance of partnership among international organisations, government agencies, donors and of course the people of Haiti who have been organising themselves into committees in order to access aid in a systematic manner.
Food items for 6,000 families were sent to Haiti courtesy the government and people of Colombia through the Colombian Red Cross. According to Luis Fernando Guerrero, Colombian Red Cross Logistics Coordinator, “We are working with the Haitian Red Cross and the International Federation to bring relief in different ways. We have been involved in the search and rescue efforts, we are helping to restore family links and we are bringing food for the people”.
The Turkish Red Crescent society is also present in Haiti with ten tonnes of relief supplies including blankets, tents, mosquito nets and kitchen supplies. Aid has come in from the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies of Austria, Canada, Finland, Iceland, Iran, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Trinidad and Tobago and many more shipments are expected over the coming weeks. Lamour explains that the relief supplies sent to the Haitian Red Cross from the international community has to be cleared from the airport and channelled into warehouses before being despatched to the camp sites that have been assessed by Red Cross volunteers. This initial contact and assessment of communities paves the way for smooth distribution operations. To date 314 campsites in Port-au-Prince have been assessed by the local Red Cross volunteers. An estimated total of 600,000 to 700,000 people are in need of food, water, shelter and medical care. The Red Cross is bringing relief and hope to these people.
Author: Gennike Mayers , IFRC, Caribbean Office
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| Colombian Red Cross volunteers pack relief supplies into trucks to be taken to available warehousing space before despatch to campsites. |
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| A sample of food supplies brought in by the Colombian Red Cross society. |
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| Shelter kit from the Iranian Red Crescent society. |
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| A gift to Haiti from the people of Mexico. |
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