Relief and Rescue Efforts Begin as Extent of Devastation in Haiti Starts to be Realized Following Tuesday's Horrendous Earthquake

Aimee Herd : Jan 13, 2010
CNN.com

"We will be providing both civilian and military disaster relief and humanitarian assistance. And our prayers are with the people who have suffered; their families, and their loved ones." -US Secretary of State Clinton

UPDATE?11:58AM PT?1/13/10: According to a report by the Associated Press (AP), the Red Cross estimated that "a third of Haiti's 9 million people may need emergency aid."

The report noted that "the prominent died along with the poor: the body of Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot, 63, was found in the ruins of his office, said the Rev. Pierre Le Beller of the Saint Jacques Missionary Center in Landivisiau, France. He told The Associated Press by telephone that fellow missionaries in Haiti had told him they found Miot's body. Preval told The Herald that Haiti's Senate president was among those trapped alive inside the Parliament building. Much of the National Palace pancaked on itself."

The Haitian President said he believed "thousands" are dead as a result of Tuesday's fearsome quake.

In a brief press conference Wednesday, President Obama promised "unwavering support" to the people of Haiti and especially those in Port-au-Prince, in the wake of the worst earthquake in two centuries there.

Scores are believed dead, but no solid numbers have yet been given. Watch a CNN Video Report by CLICKING HERE.

"The people of Haiti will have the full support of the United States in the urgent effort to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble," said the President, "and to deliver the humanitarian relief of food water and medicine that Haitians will need in the coming days."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton added, "We will be providing both civilian and military disaster relief and humanitarian assistance. And our prayers are with the people who have suffered; their families, and their loved ones."

President Obama urged people around the world to donate to the various humanitarian relief organizations who are helping in the rescue and rebuilding effort in Haiti (a list of some of them is provided below). The administration has also set up a way to text-donate $10.00 to the Red Cross via cell phones: Text "HAITI" to "90999" on your cell phone to donate $10 to the Red Cross. That donation will be charged to the cell phone bill of anyone who makes it.

The State Department has also provided a toll-free information number for information on family members who may have been injured or lost in the total devastation in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. That number is: 1-888-407-4747.

Humanitarian Aid and Relief Organizations Helping Haiti:

Medical Teams International
Samaritan's Purse:
Show Mercy International:
Red Cross:
Operation Blessing:
Mercy Corps:
Salvation Army:
Mercy Ships:
Compassion International:
Catholic Relief Services:

The small, impoverished country of Haiti?especially its capitol, Port-au-Prince?was leveled on Tuesday, following a devastating 7.0 earthquake; the worst in over 200 years.

A hospital, the presidential palace and the UN Headquarters were all destroyed, and a "large number" of UN workers were unaccounted for, the head of the UN Peacekeeping effort was found dead.