Governor Will Attend 4:00 p.m. Press Conference with Members of RI Haitian Community

Governor Donald L. Carcieri today expressed great concern over the plight of the Haitian people in the aftermath of the powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the small Caribbean nation on Tuesday, and extended condolences to the families in Haiti, in Rhode Island, and throughout the world who have lost loved ones in the tragedy.

The Governor will join leaders and members of Rhode Island’s Haitian Community and local officials at the Elmwood Avenue Church of God in Providence at 4:00 p.m. today for a press conference to address the crisis in Haiti and relief efforts.

“Mrs. Carcieri and I join our fellow Rhode Islanders in extending our thoughts and prayers to the members of the Haitian community in Rhode Island and elsewhere, and to the people of Haiti, for the losses they have suffered in this incredible catastrophe,” said Governor Carcieri. “Haitians are resilient, spiritual people who have a strong sense of community, and I know that they will band together and rely on their faith through this sad and challenging time.”

“I call on all Rhode Islanders to provide whatever support they can to those who are affected by the Haitian earthquake. There is a great need for financial contributions to the relief organizations already on the ground in Haiti,” continued Governor Carcieri, who served as director of the international humanitarian agency Catholic Relief Services’ West Indies operation in the early 1980s.

“Let us also extend our prayers and sympathies to the aid workers, missionaries, UN workers, and military personnel who have been affected by the earthquake. This is a tragedy of epic proportions for Haiti, and for many Americans and other foreigners who were working and serving in the country,” the Governor said. “We must include them and their families in our thoughts and prayers at this time.”

The Governor urged Rhode Islanders to donate money to one of the established international relief agencies in Haiti, including:

- Catholic Relief Services (phone: 888-277-7575; e-mail: info@crs.org) - Oxfam (phone: 800-776-9326; website: www.oxfamamerica.org) - Plan International (phone: 800-556-7918; website: www.planusa.org) - The International Red Cross (phone: 800-733-2767; website: www.redcross.org)

Governor Carcieri will post links to all of the above organizations on his website at www.governor.ri.gov.

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