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Gulfport, Miss – February 1, 2010 – The United Way of South Mississippi Board of Directors recently voted to contribute $5,000 to the Gulf Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross in support of earthquake relief efforts in Haiti.
United Way’s national role in the response to the earthquake in
Haiti
is to support long-term recovery efforts to rebuild lives and infrastructure devastated by the earthquake on January 12. United Way supports efforts to help residents address educational, financial and health related challenges caused by this natural disaster. Examples may include access to health care, rebuilding schools and housing, and meeting critical basic needs for shelter, food and clothing.
“It is our goal to support the ongoing recovery effort and see that the people of
Haiti
have access to the most critical basic needs that were destroyed by this disaster. The United Way Board is proud to support the efforts of the Red Cross and to extend the same gratitude that was shown to us following Katrina,” said Clay Wagner, President,
United Way of South Mississippi Board of Directors.
The Red Cross has been on the ground since the earthquake struck, offering support to the people of Haiti in the form of emergency food, water, emergency medical assistance and other basic necessities. “We have really seen an outpouring of generosity from the local community in support of the relief efforts in
Haiti
.
South Mississippians
understand the needs of those affected by the earthquake and they are rising up to meet those needs in a big way,” said Josh Joachim, Executive Director, Mississippi Gulf Coast Chapter of the Red Cross.
The American Red Cross has currently spent or committed more than $67 million to meet the most urgent needs of earthquake survivors, with $30 million going to feed 1 million Haitians who are without food and water right now. The Red Cross also provides support in the form of temporary shelters, family linking services, and Red Cross volunteers to the USNS Comfort.
To learn more about how you can support the Red Cross Haiti relief effort visit www.redcross-msgc.org or call the local chapter at (228) 896-4511.
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