Informational Resources on Haiti Earthquake
Below you will find a helpful fact sheet concerning aid and rescue efforts in response to the recent earthquake in Haiti which includes phone numbers to call if someone is trying to find the status of their loved ones in Haiti and suggestions for those who wish to make a donation to assist in the relief efforts.
For the most up to date information please monitor the White House Website at https://www.whitehouse.gov/HaitiEarthquake or the United States Embassy in Haiti at https://www.haiti.usembassy.gov/
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***Please note that the State Department has issued a travel alert for Haiti. Click here to read the alert at the State Department's website. ***
How to contact a family member
Families of Americans living in Haiti who are trying to find the status of their loved ones are encouraged to contact the State Department at 1-888-407-4747. This line is experiencing a high volume of calls at this time, so we ask for your continued patience.
* To better handle the volume of requests, the State Department has also established an email address for people who are trying to contact their American Citizen relatives in Haiti: Haiti-Earthquake@state.gov
*The U.S. 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 have been asked to contact the Embassy's Consular task force at ACSPaP@state.gov or (509) 2229-8942, (509) 2229-8089, (509) 2229-8322, or (509) 2229-8672
How can I help?
Private Citizens are encouraged to focus their efforts on supporting established aid organizations that are deploying resources to Haiti, and to hold off on travelling there themselves.
*Cash donations are the most efficient and effective way to help the relief effort in Haiti. You can immediately donate to the Red Cross to assist the relief effort by contributing online at https://american.redcross.org/supporthaiti, or by donating $10 to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting "HAITI" to "90999."
*You can also find more ways to help through the Center for International Disaster Information website, or through USAID's interactive website, which has a list of NGOs and instructions on how to help.
Haitian Earthquake Relief Fraud Alert
The FBI has issued a fraud alert, reminding Internet users who receive appeals to donate money in the aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti to apply a critical eye and do their due diligence before responding to those requests. Past tragedies and natural disasters have prompted individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization and/or a good cause. Read the alert