Most have not been able to reach them because phone lines are still down. So, hundreds of miles away, they are turning to the power of prayer.
At the Haitian Evangelical Church in Germantown, Haitian-Americans held hands and prayed for the victims of the devastating earthquake. Many have not been able to reach their loved ones. They told Action News they are growing desperate.
Mireille Dalturis of Germantown said "Nobody knows. Nobody."
News reports and televised images coming in from Haiti show the devastation after the strongest earthquake to hit the region in 200 years.
"It's a very bad situation right now," said Emanuel Pierre of Elkins Park.
Just two years ago, Haiti was hit by a series of hurricanes causing widespread devastation to the poorest nation in the hemisphere. Back then, Gilda Jean-Louise helped to send thousands of dollars in food and supplies.
Now, she waits to hear from her sister who lives in Port-au-Prince.
"This devastation is personal, so definitely we know that many in our community are crying. We're praying, and we're asking everyone to pray for our people," Jean-Louise said.
The earthquake has even touched a member of our 6abc family. Walter Riley is the stepfather of Action News reporter Denise James. He is in Port-au-Prince carrying out mission work. Like so many others, Denise and her family have not heard from him since the earthquake hit.
The State Department has set up a phone number for Americans seeking information about family members.
That number is 1-888-407-4747.
