As for people in Red Cross uniforms selling relief items, this obviously should not be happening. If you have seen it, please call our Concern Connection line at 888-309-9679 to report the abuse of our emblem.

The Red Cross has helped nearly 1.9 million Haitians since the January 12 earthquake, and we expect to support hundreds of thousands of additional survivors in the years ahead until the last donated dollar is spent.

Due to the many complexities of this disaster – and the extraordinary needs of the Haitian people – the emergency relief phase could last up to 12 months. However, the first steps of recovery work will begin soon. The American Red Cross has had a permanent presence in Haiti, and we expect to be involved in recovery efforts for years to come.

Food, Shelter & Relief Supplies:

More than 31,500 families (or 157, 500 people) received items like hygiene kits and other basic relief supplies.

More than 1 million people received food items.

More than 350,000 people received shelter supplies, including tents, tarps and tools.

Water & Sanitation:

30 million liters of drinking water (or more than 1.5 million liters per day) have been distributed.

Estimated 290,000 people are benefiting from this regular service.

More than 580 latrines have been built.

Health:

Nearly 33,600 people (or more than 1,000 people per day) have been treated by Red Cross health care facilities and mobile teams.

Approximately 60,000 people have been vaccinated, including against measles.

More than 23 million text messages with key health messages have been sent to survivors.

Other Assistance:

97 relief flights and 51 sea shipments have arrived in the region.

Nearly 40 countries (or 600 people) are currently represented by Red Cross and Red Crescent responders in Haiti.

More than 100 people have been deployed by the American Red Cross to Haiti in support of the international relief operation since January 12. More than 50 remain in country now.

The American Red Cross is working hard on long-term plans to help the people of Haiti recover from the earthquake and prepare for the upcoming rainy and hurricane seasons, even as emergency relief is expected to continue for several more months.

While these recovery plans are being developed and put into place, the Red Cross continues to meet the immediate needs of 80,000 families in Port-au-Prince with basic relief supplies and food, and our emergency support will extend through June.

As early as next week, the American Red Cross intends to make a multimillion-dollar commitment to address emergency and transitional shelters, which are among Haiti’s most pressing needs.

In coordination with other aid organizations, our assistance will be targeted primarily in Port-au-Prince, Leogane and Jacmel with some support going to host families in rural communities. To accomplish this, we will be expanding our pre-earthquake delegation in Haiti and partnering with local organizations, including the Haitian Red Cross.

In coming months and years, the American Red Cross will work with partners to rebuild the many different services which communities require to function, including establishing water and sanitation systems, health programs, and sustainable livelihoods.

The Red Cross, United Nations and the Government of Haiti are completing assessments of the longer-term recovery needs, and we are currently working with the Haitian Red Cross, partner organizations and most importantly, the survivors themselves to help make decisions about their future. As more details become available and plans are confirmed, we will share them with the American public, which has generously invested in Haiti through the work of the American Red Cross.

All humanitarian organizations, including the Red Cross, are racing against the clock to provide waterproof shelter to everyone who needs it before the rainy season begins in April. While this will likely take longer than we’d like, the Red Cross is already finding temporary solutions to support the Haitian government and address this complex situation.

The Red Cross is already well on its way to providing emergency shelter supplies – tents, tarps and tools – for 400,000 people, which is one-third of the people estimated to need shelter. It is our priority to distribute all of these supplies before the rainy season officially begins on April 1, knowing the weather will cause significant hardship for those trying to recover from the earthquake.

The Red Cross also plans to provide transitional shelters for 50,000 of the most vulnerable people. However, land issues may prevent us from moving as quickly as we would like.

As early as next week, the American Red Cross intends to make a multimillion-dollar commitment to address emergency and transitional shelters, which are among Haiti’s most pressing needs.

Explain leaving the tent cities after only 2 weeks?

RT @USAforHaiti All the world trusts when we send $ to the Red Cross, that it will really be used honorably. SHOULD WE? http://bit.ly/aiL6tG