Filter Results for "Haiti"

Yesterday, Congressman Dan Burton issued the following statement about the crisis in Haiti, and how his Congressional offices are ready to assist Hoosiers who have been affected by the situation or those who wish to enter Haiti on an aid mission:

 

"I offer my deepest condolences and prayers to the country of Haiti, and also to Americans who have family members or friends involved in the crisis.  If any Hoosiers in the 5th Congressional District know of a U.S. citizen requiring urgent assistance, my Indianapolis office is ready to assist them in working with the State Department.  Additionally, I know many Hoosiers are trained first responders, and if they wish to enter Haiti on a mission to help the millions of people in the devastated areas, my Indianapolis office will also be available to assist in procuring expedited passports, if necessary.

 

"I urge any Hoosier who plans to enter Haiti on an aid mission to check the State Department's website for travel safety updates, and to take every suggested and practical precaution to remain safe before entering Haiti, and while in the midst of the devastation.

 

"Finally, I encourage Hoosiers who wish to donate money or relief supplies to watch out for scams and to always work with a trusted national or local organization."

 

Congressman Burton's Indianapolis Office can be reached at 317-848-0201 or toll free at 1-800-382-6020 (only for Indiana residents).

 

EMERGENCY INFORMATION (from the latest State Department update at 11:20am eastern on January 15, 2009):

U.S. Citizen Inquiries

 

The U.S. Embassy in Port Au Prince has set up a task force at the Embassy which is taking calls as conditions permit.  The Embassy is working to identify U.S. citizens in Haiti who need urgent assistance and to identify sources of emergency help.   U.S. citizens in Haiti are urged to contact the Embassy via email (ACSPaP@state.gov) to request assistance.  

 

U.S. citizens in Haiti can call the Embassy’s Consular Task Force at 509-2229-8942, 509-2229-8089, 509-2229-8322, or 509-2229-8672.  

 

The State Department has also created a task force to monitor the emergency.  People in the U.S. or Canada with information or inquiries about U.S. citizens in Haiti may reach the Haiti Task Force at 888-407-4747; Haiti-Earthquake@state.gov.   Outside of the U.S. and Canada, call 202-501-4444.  For further information and updates, please see the State Department’s Consular Affairs website.

 

INFORMATION ABOUT THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE

 

Latest Updates: www.state.gov/haitiquake/

 

Adoptions Info

 

U.S. citizens with pending adoption cases in Haiti are requested to contact the Department of State at AskCI@state.gov for information about their adoption case.  In your inquiry, please include: full name and contact information of parents, full name(s) of child(ren), date(s) of birth of child(ren) [if known], and the name and contact information of orphanage.  Your constituents can find additional information about adoptions in Haiti at http://adoption.state.gov/news/Haiti.html#.

 

 

Contributions/Donations

 

Per the U.S. State Department:

 

The most effective way people can assist relief efforts is by making cash contributions to humanitarian organizations that are conducting relief operations. Information on organizations responding to the humanitarian situation in Haiti may be available at www.reliefweb.int, and at USAID: www.usaid.gov  – Keyword: Donations.

 

U.S. citizens who wish to contribute to the relief effort for Haiti after the earthquake, either online or by text message, can visit www.WhiteHouse.gov.  

 

The State Department helped set up a short code for those wishing to send immediate monetary assistance.  To take advantage of this, people can text "HAITI" to "90999" and $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross, charged to your cell phone bill.  

 

Below you will find the links to the Center for International Disaster Information's (CIDI), www.cidi.org, Guidelines and FAQ, which will be helpful in answering questions about monetary and non-monetary donations.  That website also has the Guidelines available in French and Kreyol, if you should need them.

 

CIDI Hotline: 703-276-1914

 

http://www.cidi.org/reg_offr.htm

 

http://www.cidi.org/guidelines/guide_ln.htm

 

http://www.cidi.org/media/faq.htm

 

 

Haitian Citizens in the U.S.

 

Haitian citizens in the U.S. should call the Haitian Embassy in Washington, D.C., 202-332-4090, or the Haitian Consulate in New York City, 305-859-2003.  

 

 

Volunteer Opportunities

 

Additionally, persons who wish to provide assistance or expertise in Haiti are asked to contact the Center for International Disaster Information.  The Center, operated under a grant from the United States Agency for International Development's Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance, has established a dedicated page to coordinate Haiti support at:  http://www.cidi.org/incident/haiti-10a/, 703-276-1914.  

 

 

Travel Warning

 

United States Department of State

Bureau of Consular Affairs

Washington, DC  20520

 

HAITI

 

January 14, 2010

 

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the situation in Haiti and urges them to avoid travel to Haiti in the aftermath of a powerful earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12.  An earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck near Port Au Prince, followed by multiple aftershocks.  The U.S. Embassy is working to ascertain the extent of the damage and check on the status of U.S. citizens around the island.  The Department of State has ordered nonemergency U.S. government personnel to depart Haiti.  This Travel Warning expires on February 13, 2010.

 

There are reports of extensive damage, and communications remain extremely difficult.  Additional aftershocks remain a possibility.  A Tsunami Watch for Haiti and neighboring islands issued by the Pacific Tsunami Alert Center has expired.   

 

U.S. citizens in Haiti should remain in shelter.  If exposed when an aftershock hits, take steps to avoid falling debris by getting to as open a space as possible, away from walls, windows, buildings and other structures.  If indoors, take shelter under a heavy table or desk, or in a doorway.  Avoid damaged buildings, and obey all instructions from local authorities.  Do not use matches, lighters, candles or other flame in case of disrupted gas lines.  Avoid downed power lines.  

 

Evacuation flights have begun to depart the International Airport in Port-au-Prince.  U.S. citizens wishing to depart Haiti should make their way to the airport during early daylight hours, in as safe a manner as possible.  They are encouraged to bring their passport and identification, if available, and food, water and supplies, if possible, as facilities at the airport are limited to nonexistent.  

 

If possible, U.S. citizens in Haiti should contact friends and relatives outside of Haiti to inform them of their welfare.