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UPDATE: Verizon Wireless Advances $4.84 Million in Donations from Its Customers to Red Cross
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), January 21, 2010 - In its second direct bank transfer in seven days, Verizon Wireless today transmitted $4.84 million to the American Red Cross relief effort for Haiti, representing additional pledges made by 762,284 Verizon Wireless customers with pledges totaling $7.82 million to the Red Cross from the beginning of the humanitarian relief effort through 11:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 20.
As reported earlier, Verizon Wireless made an initial $2.98 million advance to the Red Cross on Friday, Jan. 15. Today's $4.84 million represents 100 percent of the donations made by Verizon Wireless customers from 1:55 p.m. EST on Friday, Jan. 15 through 11:00 a.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 20.
As the outpouring of support continues from wireless users texting HAITI to 90999, the company said it would continue to advance funds pledged by Verizon Wireless customers and provide dollars to the Red Cross outside normal operation procedures.
In a statement, Verizon Wireless president and CEO Lowell McAdam said, "President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton have challenged the American people to donate to the Red Cross relief effort, and companies like Verizon need to step up to the plate. Time is of the essence, and it makes sense for us to toss aside our normal financial processes to get money where it can do the most good, in the fastest way possible."
In a phone interview, January 16, with St. Louis Front Page, Brenda Hill, spokesperson for the Verizon Wireless Kansas/Missouri Region, said that the giving by mobile was pretty amazing. "I found out about this effort as a result of a question from a customer in Columbia, MO. We are also getting a lot of pickup on Twitter and the other social networking sites that are spreading the word about this. This is the largest mobile giving that has happened in such a short time," said Hill.
In less than three days since the earthquake devastated Haiti, more than 300,000 Verizon Wireless customers have texted HAITI to 90999, nearing $3 million in donations to the Red Cross relief effort. From the start of the campaign, as of 2 p.m. EST on Friday, the customers of all U.S. wireless companies had pledged more than $9 million to this one relief fund.
Hundreds of American charities have registered text messaging short-codes, whereby consumers can text donations. The mobile giving process can take between 60 and 90 days from the time a wireless user texts a donation and when a charity receives the donation. Verizon Wireless' action today bypasses the normal process used to get donations paid to charities, which helps to ensure that the payments are complete and accurate. Donations will get to the Red Cross quickly, given the humanitarian crisis at hand. To ensure fiscal accountability and responsibility, these operational processes will remain in place for all mobile giving efforts, with the exception of the Red Cross' HAITI on 90999 effort.
The company noted the work of valued and trusted partners in implementing mobile giving, all of which agreed to bend rules and bypass regular procedures to move the money to the Red Cross quickly: Mobile Messenger, mGive Foundation and Mobile Accord. CEO McAdam singled out The Mobile Giving Foundation and its founder Jim Manis for support of the effort. "Jim Manis is a visionary who has fought to unharness the incredible power of mobile technology with our better instincts. Though many deserve credit for the success of this effort to help in the Haiti relief, it all started with Jim's vision."
St. Louisans can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).
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Red Cross Pushes Aid to Haiti Amid Difficult Conditions
by Betty Moore, SLFP.com
ST. LOUIS, MO, (SLFP.com), January 16, 2010 - The aftermath of Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti, January 12, has posed logistical challenges for all humanitarian organizations, including Red Cross responders, who are working around the clock to meet the challenges and ensure aid reaches the survivors in Port-au-Prince.
In a phone interview with Saint Louis Front Page, Katie Nagus, spokesperson for the St. Louis Chapter of the American Red Cross, said that the outpouring of support has been impressive and pretty moving actually.
"I believe that we've raise at least $60 million as of yesterday afternoon. And, we know that we are going end up spending more than that to help the people of Haiti," stated Nagus.
Two planes carrying Red Cross humanitarian assistance were due to land Friday afternoon in Port-au-Prince. The first carried a field hospital, and the second carries tarps, blankets, hygiene items, buckets, shelter supplies and kitchen sets. The American Red Cross is also working today with airport authorities to transport additional items from its warehouse in Panama into Port-au-Prince.
"We're one of the organizations that has had a presence in Haiti even before this disaster struck," stated Nagus. "We know that we are going to be there for the long term. Right now our focus is on getting the supplies into the places that need them the most. We're having some logistical challenges just given the nature of the disaster in doing so."
"We have got planes loaded with supplies that are ready to land, but due to the damage and overcrowding at the airport, a lot of flights have been diverted," she explained. "While that airport is accepting humanitarian aide, there is a long backlog. The Red Cross is one of the organizations that has been waiting for clearance from the local authorities to land our planes."
Nagus stated that the Red Cross has been trying to send supplies by cargo ship, but the ports in Port-au-Prince were severely damaged and are expected to open until January 18. "Even the cranes that are needed to unload the ships have been damaged, so there are only a few forklifts, so even getting supplies off the ships is difficult," she acknowledged.
"The third option that we have been trying is to get responders into Haiti over ground transportation from the Dominican Republic, but that is an eleven hour drive and fuel in the area is scarce and a lot of the roads are impassible," she said.
Trying hard not to sound frustrated, Nagus continued, "So all three things combined has made it somewhat difficult to get supplies to the people who need it most but we are doing everything humanly possible that we can."
"We are able to have some limited communications, but I understand that there is a near total blackout now in Port-au-Prince. There is limited electricity and communication possible in some places but unreliable. It makes it even more difficult to coordinate such a massive response as this disaster," continued Nagus.
While the American Red Cross appreciates heartfelt offers to travel to Haiti or to donate household items, at this time, what the Red Cross needs the most are financial contributions.
She said the American Red Cross has specifically trained a small contingency of volunteers to deal with international disasters. "You have to speak the language and it helps to have some history in the affected region and you are familiar with where things are. All of those things come into play in determining who is going to go on an International relief operation.
"I believe there are 5 Red Cross members who have arrived in Port-au-Prince and joining the 15 person staff we already had on the ground. They are joining 12 other Red Cross teams from around the world that arrived yesterday. There are engineers, surgeons, family-linking specialists, highly specialized individuals who can delivery the most critical services," she stated.
"The best thing that people can do is open up their hearts and their wallets and donate to the Red Cross whatever they can to help up raise enough money to make sure that we are able to stay there for the long term," said Nagus.
St. Louisans can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767). The public can also help by texting "Haiti" to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.
While communication with those in Haiti is still difficult, people should contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 if trying to reach a U.S. citizen living or traveling in Haiti. If trying to reach a Haitian citizen, callers should continue to call or contact other family members who live nearby.
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