The Edison Little River Neighborhood Center, located at 150 Northwest 79th Street in Little Haiti, is successfully connecting Haitian-American with their families on the island through Facebook and other online tools, as well as through toll-free phone call lines. The Center is also offering counseling services for friends and families of victims. The Edison Center is open daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., including the holiday weekend.  For more information call 305-795-1552.

Tariffs are being waived at the Port of Miami for vessels travelling to Haiti carrying relief supplies.  In addition, Miami International Airport is not assessing landing fees for humanitarian flights returning from the island.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced today the U.S. will grant Temporary Protective Status for Haitian nationals who were in the United States as of January 12, 2010, for the next 18 months.  This status will allow them to obtain work permits.

U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary Napolitano and other federal officials are expected to visit Miami-Dade County this weekend.

Miami-Dade County's Emergency Operations Center is under a partial activation and the PIO Workroom will be staffed from 8 am - 8 pm, Saturday through Monday.  For information, call 305-468-5954.