Red Cross collecting for Haitian relief effort

The American Red Cross is sending money, supplies and staff to Haiti to support relief efforts there after last week's earthquake that caused catastrophic damage and loss of life.

According to reports, as many as three million people may have been affected by the quake, which collapsed government buildings and caused major damage to hospitals in the area. Some of the preliminary death tolls are higher than 100,000.

The Red Cross is contributing an initial $1 million from the International Response Fund to support the relief operation and has opened its warehouse in Panama to provide tarps, mosquito nets and cooking sets for approximately 5,000 families.

"There has been an outpouring of support in our area," Pamela Martino, director of the Athens Red Cross, said in a news release. "Many OU students called or stopped... to find out ways in which they could help."

To help, people can make an unrestricted donation to the International Response Fund at www.redcross.org or by calling 1-800-733-2767. The public can also help by texting "Haiti" to 90999 to send a $10 donation to the Red Cross, through an effort backed by the U.S. State Department. Funds will go to support American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti.

The Athens Red Cross is not accepting food, clothing or other tangible items.