Victoria DeLong: Cultural Affairs Officer
[W]e are saddened to report that Ms. Victoria DeLong, a cultural affairs officer at the U.S. Embassy Port-au-Prince, died in the collapse of her home following the earthquake in Haiti. Her next of kin have been notified. Ms. DeLong served in Haiti since February 2009 and at the State Department since November 1983. It’s a tragedy for the State Department and for our family in the public diplomacy and public affairs world. Some of you who are old-timers here – she was previously – did serve in our Bureau of Public Affairs during her career.
NDS of Calling a Spade a Spade posted about this in The Foreign Service Loses One of Its Own in Haiti
No word yet on casualties among the embassy's local employees.
Updated: Secretary Clinton has released a statement on the passing of Victoria DeLong. Read it here.
Updated | 1/16/2010:
- Arturo Valenzuela (State/WHA): In Memory of Victoria DeLong (comments/memories accepted)
- Laua Rozen | Politico: State reports death of U.S. Embassy official
- WaPo: Victoria DeLong was only known U.S. diplomat to die in quake
