Paterson for New York

Governor David A. Paterson today announced that he has established an online registry of New York State citizens in Haiti at the time of Tuesday's horrific earthquake. The creation of the registry is the first step in what may be a lengthy process of locating New Yorkers. Both the web-based application and a toll free telephone hotline will be activated at noon Friday.

"Presently there is little information from Haiti because the earthquake caused extensive damage to Haiti's infrastructure," Governor Paterson said. "Although there is a massive international relief effort under way, it will take time until Haiti's infrastructure is restored and systems are in place to help locate and identify individuals.

"However, collecting information now about New York citizens in Haiti will help locate them once information becomes available," the Governor added. "Once the massive response to this catastrophe is in place, I am sure a number of organizations will work to reunite loved ones. This registry will be of vital importance to that effort."

To access the online registry, go to the Governor's website, www.ny.gov/governor/ and click on the New York State Registry of New York Citizens in Haiti. You will be asked to provide the name of the individuals you have not had contact with and provide some essential contact information. The information collected will not be used or shared for any purpose unrelated to locating and identifying family and friends in Haiti.

For those who do not have access to the web, the Governor has established a hotline - 1-888-769-7243 - staffed at the Department of Taxation and Finance which has provided this same service during responses to the World Trade Center attack in 2001, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and the recent emergency closure of the Lake Champlain Bridge in October 2009. The hotline will be operations from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

Governor Paterson said that New York State agencies continue to work with federal and City officials identifying resources that may be requested by the Federal government in this massive relief effort. The Governor has pledged all available State resources to this effort.

"Once again, let me express to the Haitian community overseas and here in New York that the thoughts and prayers of all New Yorkers continue to be with you in this darkest of hours." Governor Paterson said.

"I also know that New Yorkers are caring people. They want to do something. They want to help. But with the extensive damage to the Haitian infrastructure, the best way New Yorkers can help right now is to donate what they can - one, five or ten dollars - to credible organizations who can get the goods and supplies that are needed into the hands of the people who need them."

Some of these organizations and information on how to donate is listed below, and posted on http://www.ny.gov/governor/press/HelpingHaiti.html.

The American Red Cross

To make a donation, visit https://american.redcross.org/site/Donation2?4306.donation=form1&idb=428...
To donate by text: dial "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill.
UNICEF

To make a donation, visit https://secure.unicefusa.org/site/Donation2?df_id=6680&6680.donation=form1;
You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF.
Yele Haiti

To make a donation, visit http://www.yele.org/;
You can also text "Yele" to 501501 and $5 will be charged to your phone bill and given to relief projects through the organization.
Operation USA

To make a donation, visit http://www.opusa.org/;
To donate by phone call 1-800-678-7255;
Send a check to:
Operation USA
3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A
Culver City, CA 90232

Partners In Health

To make a donation, visit https://donate.pih.org/page/contribute/haiti_earthquake?source=earthquak...
Mercy Corps

To make a donation, visit http://www.mercycorps.org/haiti;
To donate by phone call 1-888-256-1900;
Send a check to:
Mercy Corps Haiti Earthquake Fund; Dept NR
P.O. Box 2669
Portland, OR 97208

Direct Relief

To make a donation, visit https://secure2.convio.net/dri/site/Donation2?idb=1322432156&1170.donati...

Oxfam

To make a donation, visit https://secure.oxfamamerica.org/site/Donation2?idb=2039187796&3600.donat...

International Medical Corps

To make a donation, visit https://www.imcworldwide.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=878