by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere, has prompted an outcry of international support. The American Red Cross is contributing an initial $1,000,000 from the International Response Fund to support the relief operations in Haiti and has opened the Wherehouse in Panama to provide tarps, mosquito nets and cooking instruments for approximately 5,000 families.

The Red Cross has deployed six management disaster specialists to the region to help coordinate the relief efforts. Chita Blaise with the Guam Chapter of the American Red Cross says they are accepting monetary donations.

If you would like to make such a contribution, please make checks out to the International Response Fund with a memo to "Haiti Earthquake". You can drop off the donation at their office in Hagatna.