WASHINGTON, DC – The following is a statement from Rep. Carolyn McCarthy in response to the recent earthquake in Haiti:

“With the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake which struck Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas on January 12, 2010, my sincerest condolences and prayers are with the citizens of Haiti, their friends and families on Long Island and throughout the United States as well as the many American citizens who live and work in Haiti. As we move forward, I will work with the President and my colleagues in Congress to assist with disaster relief and recovery.

Proudly, a variety of U.S. Federal, State and Local agencies have offered to provide emergency response to the region, including U.S. Departments of Defense, State and Homeland Security. Local law enforcement and first responders throughout Long Island and New York have also pledged to lend their expertise to the relief effort. I have joined other members of the New York Congressional Delegation in sending a letter to the United States Agency for International Development asking that New York first responders be included in the search and rescue efforts.

The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has set up a task force at the Embassy which is taking calls as conditions permit. The Embassy is working to identify Americans in Haiti who need urgent assistance and to identify sources of emergency help. Americans are urged to contact the Embassy via email at ACSPaP@state.gov to request assistance.

Many Haitian New Yorkers are eager to locate relatives and assist in any way possible. The State Department has issued guidelines for support. A list of resources is provided below to assist constituents and those interested in helping.”

Phone Contact Info

·         State Department: for Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti:    1-888-407-4747 (due to heavy volume, some callers may receive a recording).

• U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince: Americans in Haiti can call the Embassy’s Consular Task Force at 509-2229-8942, 509-2229-8089, 509-2229-8322, or 509-2229-8672. People in the U.S. or Canada with information or inquiries about U.S. citizens in Haiti may reach the Haiti Task Force at 888-407-4747. Outside of the U.S. and Canada, call 202-501-4444.