Despite Bottlenecks, Red Cross Aid Getting to Haiti Survivors More than a week after a catastrophic earthquake shattered the Port-au-Prince region and surrounding areas in Haiti, the Red Cross, with the help of the generosity of the American public, is delivering relief—through first aid posts, hospitals, relief distribution sites, water trucking programs and family linking stations—and helping to make life better for those affected. Logistical challenges are still making it difficult to get aid into Port-au-Prince. Airports are crowded, roads are heavily congested and travel by road from the Dominican Republic has increased to an 18-hour journey. Despite all the bottlenecks, supplies are slowly getting through. The Red Cross has now been able to reach survivors outside the capital city, providing first aid in camps and prioritizing the need for food, water and other basic supplies. Teams are focused on purifying the water supply available in the country and expect to deliver clean drinking water to 200,000 people each day by truck. There are more than 400 Red Cross workers from around the world in Haiti, as well as thousands of local volunteers. Responders from seven countries are treating injuries and performing surgery in Port-au-Prince. In just the first week of the relief operation in Haiti, the American Red Cross has committed and spent funds in three basic areas: food and water; relief supplies; and logistical and support services. So far, more than 100 tons of Red Cross aid has arrived in Haiti, and planes and trucks carrying additional assistance are arriving in the region every day. More news on the Haitian Relief effort....
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