Haiti Efforts

CITY OF BOSTON
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR THOMAS M. MENINO

Do you need help locating family members in Haiti? ·The State Department Operations Center has set up the following number for individuals seeking information about family members living in Haiti: 1-888-407-4747. Press zero (0) to speak to a customer service representative.

·For people seeking to restore contact with family members after earthquake in Haiti, visit http://www.icrc.org/familylinks

·The White House is also directing people to www.whitehouse.gov/HaitiEarthquake for general information about the earthquake and relief efforts in Haiti.

Are you looking for a way to help?
The immediate need is for money that can be used by an established relief organization to best aid victims of the devastating earthquake.
Visit www.interaction.org to get a list of credible responding organizations for international emergencies.

Reputable organizations include:
·Partners in Health: www.pih.org

·International Red Cross: www.redcross.orgor donate $10 to be charged to your cell phone bill by texting "HAITI" to "90999."

·Catholic Relief Services: www.crs.org

·Mayor Thomas M. Menino has also established a Haitian Family Relief Fund at Bank of America where residents can make donations to support relief efforts for families in Boston who are affected by the earthquake. Donations can be made via The Fund for Boston Neighborhoods, Inc. at Boston City Hall or Bank of America branches in Boston.

·You can find more ways to help through the Center for International Disaster Information (www.cidi.org) or through USAID's interactive website, which has a list of non-governmental organizations and instructions on how to help: www.usaid.gov

·The FBI warns everyone to be aware of fraud and scams: http://www.fbi.gov/cyberinvest/escams.htm
Do you need additional assistance? Mayor Thomas M. Menino, along with local elected officials, SEIU Local 1199, area hospitals and health centers,
city departments, and community organizations will open a Referral and Support Center at the SEIU Local 1199
Bayside Office Center located at 150 Mt. Vernon St., Dorchester (next to the JFK redline station). The Center will operate from 9 AM until 9 PM, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and will offer phone lines and computer access to help in locating family and friends in Haiti. Translators will be available along with counseling support and assistance linking to needed services.


Tips for taking care of yourself and your family during these difficult times:

Support each other. Parents and caregivers should take time to talk together and find ways to meet each other's needs.

Monitor adult conversations. Be aware of what adults are saying about the earthquake or the damage. Children listen to adults' conversations and may misinterpret what they hear, becoming unnecessarily
frightened.

Limit media exposure. Protect your child from too many images and descriptions of the earthquake, including those on television, on the Internet, on radio, and in the newspaper.

Reassure children that they are safe.
Take care of yourself physically. Eat healthily, get enough sleep, drink plenty of water, and get proper medical care.