Following yesterday's devastating earthquake in Haiti, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg was joined by Governor David A. Paterson and more than two dowen elected and city officials in asking New Yorkers to open their wallets and help those impacted by the tragedy.
New York City has one of the largest Haitian-American communities in the country and as New Yorkers and Haitians alike try to cope with devestation, the city and state are gearing up to help out.
Paterson said that as there is no infrastucture in Haiti to receive supplies the best way that New Yorkers could help out is to give money and pray for the people of Haiti. The state is maintaining a registry of New Yorkers who are currently believed to be in the country.
"This isn't the type of thing where you can just send a bottle of water," said Bloomberg "The magnitude of this is so great that ultimately the help will have to come from the U.S. government and the U.N."
The mayor said that as of 11 a.m. this morning more than 10,000 New Yorkers had already called 311 to ask how they could help out. The Mayor's Fund is taking contributions and directing them to to reputable charities, like the American Red Cross.
Uniformed service personell from across the city and state are ready to be deployed to Haiti at anytime, pending a request from the federal government.
President Obama has vowed that the United States will do everything in its power to help the people of Haiti.
"I have directed my administration to respond with a swift, coordinated, and aggressive effort to save lives," said Obama. "The people of Haiti will have the full support of the United States in the urgent effort to rescue those trapped beneath the rubble, and to deliver the humanitarian relief -- the food, water and medicine -- that Haitians will need in the coming days. In that effort, our government, especially USAID and the Departments of State and Defense are working closely together and with our partners in Haiti, the region, and around the world."
Those trying to get information regarding U.S. citizens in Haiti should call 888.407.4747.
City Council Member Jumaane Williams (D - Brooklyn) tried to make things real, saying:
A prayer vigil at the Haitian embassy here in New York City is scheduled for 6 p.m. today. The Associated Press reports that as many as 500,000 people may have been killed in yesterday's earthquake.
Check back here for periodic updates.
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