With the extent of damage caused by Tuesday’s 7.0 magnitude earthquake in southern Haiti still unknown, local agencies are accepting donations.

The earthquake, which occurred at 5:14 p.m. near the capital of Port-au-Prince, has affected millions and created a death toll estimated to be in the tens of thousands. While the country is in need of supplies including water, blankets, tents, food and clothing, there is only one landing strip open at the airport and that one is damaged according to reports from the country.

Because of that, local agencies such as the Surry County chapters of the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, both national organizations, are collecting only monetary donations at this time. Both agencies have spoken with a number of people already who called or stopped by to make a donation.

“We’ve been inundated with people calling wanting to help. We’re not doing shoes, clothes or water right now,” said Tom Dunn, disaster services coordinator of the Red Cross. “Part of that is logistics. There is one airport in Port-au-Prince and it has one partially damaged runway. Logistically it’s easier if we get donations to purchase supplies that can be loaded into containers on cargo aircraft.

The American Red Cross, which has already pledged $10 million to the cause, has a major warehouse in Panama, according to Dunn. The warehouse holds cots, tents, blankets, water and food and will be the supplier for Haiti.

“As they see what is needed, they will use the money to purchase it,” said Dunn of the warehouse.

To make a donation to the Red Cross, call the local office at 786-4183 or stop by the West Lake Drive building. The organization is accepting donations in the form of cash, check, Visa, Mastercard or Discover. Dunn asked that people specify what they want the funds to go towards in the “For” line on the checks. This can include Haiti Relief, the International Relief Fund or the Surry County Red Cross.

While the Haiti disaster has become a priority for many people making contributions, Dunn pointed out that the chapter is still in need of funds to assist the local community.

The local Salvation Army is also accepting monetary donations as they do for any disaster.

“The supplies are too hard to get down there. Our agencies in Florida will buy the supplies in bulk to ship to Haiti,” said Christy Rippey, social worker.

According to Rippey, the local Salvation Army has received 10 or 15 calls in just more than one day. Anyone interested in making a donation should stop by the South Street administrative office with cash or check specified for Haiti or mail a check to the organization.

According to Dunn, the local Red Cross will not be sending a team to Haiti to assist. They are trained to deal with local disasters and national disasters but not international ones.

“International is a whole other story. Sending someone down there who can’t speak the language is a whole other endeavor,” he said of the country whose primary language is French. “There’s also a cultural difference you have to be aware of.”

The Red Cross has trained assessment and disaster relief people on the scene to assist with the recovery effort.

Contact Morgan Wall at mwall@mtairynews.com or 719-1929.