Earthquake Survivor’s Video Raises Questions for Red Cross

A survivor of the Haitian earthquake who visited the country’s tent cities has made a video, which ran on YouTube, about his efforts to figure out how the American Red Cross spent the $430-million it raised for the disaster, says the Miami Herald.

The Red Cross says it has spent roughly $106-million, but when the man, Fred Sajous, visited a tent city across the street from the American Red Cross’s Pétionville headquarters, people there said they had not received anything from the charity. Mr. Sajous went to other settlements but says he couldn’t find that the money had been spent.

Gail J. McGovern, president of the American Red Cross, appeared in an Internet video last week to counter Mr. Sajous’s claims.

The organization says it has spent about a quarter of the money it raised after the 7.0 magnitude earthquake left 1.3 million people homeless. Red Cross officials say that figure includes $55-million for emergency relief, such as food and supplies; $43.6-million for shelter; $5.5-million for water and sanitation; and $1.5-million for health costs.