Philadelphia Red Cross learning Haitian Creole language

The Philadelphia Red Cross has not been called to provide relief in Haiti yet. But staffers are preparing for that moment. The Philadelphia Red Cross is ready to provide manpower to assist in relief efforts in Haiti, with dozens of volunteers ready to go. Tom Foley is CEO of the organization’s Philadelphia Branch. He says for now the Red Cross is training people who can speak to Haitians, if they are brought to the U.S.

The Philadelphia Red Cross has not been called to provide relief in Haiti yet. But staffers are preparing for that moment.

The Philadelphia Red Cross is ready to provide manpower to assist in relief efforts in Haiti, with dozens of volunteers ready to go.  Tom Foley is CEO of the organization’s Philadelphia Branch.  He says for now the Red Cross is training people who can speak to Haitians, if they are brought to the U.S.

Foley: This is a training for people in our area who speak creole so they can be helpful in the work we are doing here in the Haitian community as well as maybe work we will do in other parts of this country and even Haiti itself.  It’s really important for us to have creole speakers side by side with us as we work on this issue today and in the future.

The first responders are experts in international disasters, the extra time will help area workers be better prepared if they have to go to Haiti.