Haiti Earthquake Magnitude Was 7.3, According To International Red Cross

On its web site the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reports that the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12th measured 7.3 on the Richter scale. The quake struck Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, as well as other areas of the country. Haiti's West Province, with a population of 2.2 million, was the most affected area.


The Red Cross informs that its volunteers in Haiti are currently assisting the wounded and supporting hospitals that are being overwhelmed by this emergency.


The most urgent needs at this time are:

Search and rescue
Field hospitals
Emergency health
Water purification
Emergency shelter
Logistics
Telecommunications

The Red Cross Red Crescent has pre-positioned relief supplies for 3,000 families in Haiti. In Port-au-Prince there are enough pre-positioned supplies for 500 families. These emergency supplies consist of kitchen kits, personal hygiene kits, blankets and containers for storing drinking water.


A group of experts in disaster response, health in emergency and logistics will arrive in Haiti later today to support the Haitian Red Cross in the relief efforts and to begin to coordinate international assistance from members of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement as well as other organizations. In addition, a Red Cross team will lead a damage assessment together with the Humanitarian Aid Office of the European Union.


Emergency funds have been released. A preliminary emergency appeal for humanitarian aid should be issued later on Wednesday.


Donations to the IFRC emergency response operation


Source: International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies