Red Cross Response to Haiti Relief Efforts Continue

OTTAWA , Jan. 18 /CNW Telbec/ - The Red Cross continued to respond to the needs of Haiti over the weekend as aid workers, relief items and emergency response units arrived in Port-au-Prince . Over 400 Red Cross workers have been deployed to Haiti and 77 tons of Red Cross relief items have landed in Haiti or Dominican Republic . Relief work and aid distribution is underway.

Canadians, their governments and corporations have also responded through donations to the Canadian Red Cross' Haiti Earthquake fund. To date, $25.7 million has been donated by individuals and a further $4.6 million is committed from governments and corporations.

A total of 16 emergency response units have been deployed, including an emergency field hospital with 10 Canadian medical professionals. This field hospital is a joint Norwegian Red Cross and Canadian Red Cross facility, which was in-part made possible by the Government of Canada who has provided $800,000 . The hospital is adjacent to the University Hospital in Port-au-Prince and can treat up to 300 people per day. Medical personnel have already started treating patients.

"The compassion and generosity of the Canadian public, government and business in response to the Haiti earthquake has been immediate and overwhelming," says Conrad Sauvé, secretary general and CEO of the Canadian Red Cross. "But the needs continue to be great. Donations made to the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Earthquake fund will support emergency relief efforts already underway, and will also help us in the months and years ahead as we help affected communities recover."

"With three million people in urgent need of humanitarian assistance in Haiti , we encourage more Canadians to donate so that we may rapidly deliver aid, restore hope and invest in rebuilding Haiti's future," he said.

Canadians are encouraged to support Red Cross relief efforts by making a financial donation to the Canadian Red Cross Haiti Earthquake fund. Donations can be made online at www.redcross.ca/helpnow, by calling toll free 1-800-418-1111 or at any Red Cross office. Cheques should be earmarked Haiti Earthquake.

The Canadian Red Cross is a member of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, which includes the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and 187 National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Our mission is to improve the lives of vulnerable people by mobilizing the power of humanity in Canada and around the world.

For further information: or to arrange an interview: Canadian Red Cross media line, [phone]