It is projected that thousands of Haitians have lost their lives in the wake of the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that hit on Tuesday. President Rene Preval said he believes thousands of people are dead even as other officials give much higher estimates because this estimate is based on the extent of the destruction rather than firm counts of the dead.
According to reports, as many as three million people may have been affected by the quake, which collapsed government buildings and caused major damage to hospitals in the area. Untold numbers of people are said to be still trapped.
The tragedy hits close to home for local Jackson resident Victor Alao, who said he has friends in Haiti.
“I am just extremely heartbroken,” said Alao. “I sent messages to them [friends] to let them know that I was praying for them and hope that they are safe.”
Alao said he had just visited there in June of last year on a business trip, a trip to a country that he would have never imagined would be struck with a devastation such as this.
“I am extremely devastated by this news,” said Alao. “My prayers go out to everyone that was affected by this. I just pray that I get to hear from my friends. I am hopeful that I will get an email response saying they are ok.”
U.S. officials are lending their help by laying out a massive military response to the Haiti earthquake, saying that ships, helicopters, transport planes and a 2,000-member Marine unit are either on the way or likely to begin moving soon.
President Barack Obama promised earlier Wednesday to mount an all-out rescue and humanitarian efforts to help the people of Haiti overcome a “cruel and incomprehensible” tragedy.”
The president also said the relief effort is gearing up even as the U.S. government is working to account for Americans who were on the island nation when the disaster struck late Tuesday afternoon.
The American Red Cross is sending money, supplies and staff to Haiti to support relief efforts there after yesterday’s earthquake, which caused catastrophic damage and loss of life.
The Red Cross is contributing an initial $1 million from the International Response Fund to support the relief operation, and has opened its warehouse in Panama to provide tarps, mosquito nets and cooking sets for approximately 5,000 families.
In addition to Red Cross staff already in Haiti, six disaster management specialists are being deployed to the disaster zone to help coordinate relief efforts.
To help, people can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). The public can also help by texting “Haiti” to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
Americans trying to locate family members may contact the State Department at 1-888-407-4747.
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