Statement by Senator Klobuchar on the Earthquake in Haiti and Assistance for Minnesotans
Statement
Klobuchar's Office Has Received Numerous Calls from Worried Minnesotans
Below is a statement from U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar on the earthquake in Haiti and assistance for Minnesotans:
Haiti has suffered a disaster of catastrophic proportions. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti, as the United States and the international community mobilize to come to their aid.
The impact of this earthquake is also being felt in Minnesota. Our state has long been known for its compassion and humanitarian service to people in need, whether at home or abroad. Many Minnesota churches and aid organizations already have strong ties with Haiti.
I have been in contact with the U.S. State Department to make sure the U.S. government is doing everything possible to assist the Haitian people as well as American citizens who are in Haiti. I will also be working with the State Department to make sure that we have a prompt evacuation of American citizens who are injured or not involved in the rescue and recovery efforts.
My office has received a number of calls from worried Minnesotans seeking assistance in contacting family members or friends and making sure they are safe. In addition, we have been contacted by several Minnesota families with pending adoptions in Haiti. These families have been able to confirm that their children are safe. But we are now working with the State Department and Citizenship and Immigration Services to expedite these adoptions so the families can bring their children home safely.
This is what we are currently advising Minnesotans to do who are concerned about family members or friends in Haiti:
1. Contact my Minnesota Senate Office at (612-727-5220 or 1-888-224-9043). My staff is working with the State Department to locate and, if necessary, assist Minnesotans who are in Haiti.
2. Contact the State Department's Haiti Crisis Task Force hotline (888-407-4747 or Haiti-Earthquake@state.gov). People should immediately contact the hotline to report the names of Americans missing in Haiti. People concerned about Haitian family members or friends should contact the Embassy of Haiti in the U.S. (ACSPaP@state.gov).
3. Minnesotans who are able to reach a family member or friend in Haiti should advise them to contact the U.S. Embassy there to report their status and whereabouts. Below are the U.S. Embassy phone numbers FOR THOSE CALLING FROM INSIDE HAITI:
509-2229-8942
509-2229-8089
509-2229-8322
509-2229-8672
4. Minnesotans can check the website for the U.S. Embassy in Haiti, which has continuously updated emergency contact information. The website address is http://haiti.usembassy.gov/
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