BELLINGHAM, Washington, USA -- SPIE extends deepest condolences on behalf of the Society's members and friends to the people whose lives have been so terribly affected by the recent earthquake in Haiti. No words can appropriately express the anguish we feel over this tragic loss of life and our concern for the great difficulties facing those who have survived.

SPIE leadership have expressed their support for the many relief efforts underway as the world responds to the needs of the Haitian people. Among these:

• International Red Cross volunteers are on the ground in many affected areas. The American Red Cross has set up a program whereby cell phone users may text "HAITI" to 90999 to initiate a $10 donation which will be charged to the individual's cell phone bill. The organization also accepts donations by phone via 1 800 733 2767 or online at redcross.org.

• Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders has set up numerous emergency medical facilities in Haiti and are accepting donations online for these efforts.

• Facebook, Google, the Red Cross, and other organizations are producing missing-persons lists. One report noted that the Facebook group "Earthquake Haiti" already has more than 160,000 members.

• With telecommunications landlines down, Twitter is providing a crucial communications broadcast channel within and from outside the country. Groups such as one tagged "#relativesinhaiti" are seeing heavy traffic. Télécoms Sans Frontières has sent mobile telecommunications teams into areas where lines are down.

• The United Nations World Food Programme is gearing up to distribute ready-to-eat meals to 2 million people, and will work to establish kitchens in Port-au-Prince to provide prepared foods.

SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, was founded in 1955 to advance light-based technologies. Serving more than 188,000 constituents from 138 countries, the Society advances emerging technologies through interdisciplinary information exchange, continuing education, publications, patent precedent, and career and professional growth. SPIE annually organizes and sponsors approximately 25 major technical forums, exhibitions, and education programs in North America, Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific, and supports scholarships, grants, and other education programs around the world.

# # # #

Media contact:
Amy Nelson
SPIE Public Relations Manager
Tel: +1 360 685 5478
publicrelations@spie.org