| FEMA continues to support USAID and others in effort to save lives in Haiti |
Message from Deputy FEMA Administrator Richard Serino on the Haiti tragedy and the ongoing resuce efforts:
"Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those affected by the devastating earthquake in Haiti. President Obama has instructed the federal government to undertake a swift, coordinated, and aggressive effort to save lives in Haiti, and FEMA continues to support USAID and others in those efforts.
On behalf of FEMA Administrator Fugate, I'd like remind you that FEMA is supporting USAID's efforts in Haiti with search and rescue teams, communications and coordination support, and relief supplies and commodities. As you well know, state, local, and tribal responders are the foundation of our nation's search and rescue teams. I know the President and Secretary Napolitano share my gratitude for the commitment and dedication shown by these responders.
State, local, and tribal governments with goods and services to offer to the relief effort in Haiti should direct their offers to helphaiti@state.gov. Responders are reminded to please not attempt self-dispatch to Haiti; USAID and the State Department are coordinating the deployment of resources to Haiti and responders should deploy only if tasked to do so.
The most urgent need that we can all fulfill at this time is to support ongoing disaster relief fundraising efforts. To help, I urge you to go online to http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti to find relief organizations supporting the response in Haiti and make a contribution to support the disaster relief efforts.
Thank you for your continued hard work and commitment."