Aid agencies issue Haiti appeal

Aid organisations in Ireland have today launched appeals to help those in Haiti afflicted by an earthquake that struck the capital…

Aid organisations in Ireland have today launched appeals to help those in Haiti afflicted by an earthquake that struck the capital last night.

Thousands are feared dead after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, the most powerful to hit Haiti in more than 200 years according to the US Geological Survey, struck Port-au-Prince.

In a statement, Goal, which works in Honduras, said it will later today send in a team to assess the the situation and formulate a response.

“On the ground in Port-au-Prince the Goal operatives will link up with workers from the Irish house building agency, Haven, who have pledged their support."

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Goal has has allocated €250,000 from its emergency fund as an immediate response. Donations can be made at the organisation's website, www.goal.ie, or by post to Goal, PO Box 19, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

Unicef Ireland, the international children’s organisation, said funds are urgently required to provide safe water, temporary shelter systems and essential medical supplies.

Noting that more than half of Haiti's population of 9.6 million are under 21, the organisation said: "Despite heavy damages to its own offices in Port-au-Prince Unicef in Haiti and the Unicef regional office located in Panama has deployed emergency teams to assess the situation and determine what the additional emergency needs are for the people of Haiti."

Donations can be made online at www.unicef.ie or by phoning the Unicef Ireland office on 01 878 3000.

Christian Aid said rebuilding in the Caribbean nation will require massive international assistance. "This latest disaster is going to cause untold suffering and hardship, particularly in communities with very little to fall back on," chief executive Margaret Boden said.

Adrian Horsman, Christian Aid's media manager, added: "Most of the buildings and infrastructure in Haiti are very fragile. Many people have been killed by falling debris and there are still many more trapped under the rubble, in desperate need of assistance."

Online donations can be made at www.christianaid.ie

Concern confirmed all of its staff on the ground in Haiti are safe. The charity said it was sending a number of emergency experts to the area. to assess the damage but said that it's main response will on providing water, food and shelter. Online donations can be made at www.concern.net

Trócaire said today that as the poorest country in the western hemisphere, Haiti is ill-equipped to respond to the earthquake and desperately needs international assistance

“Our immediate priority is to save as many lives as possible by rescuing trapped survivors. After that the focus will be getting survivors the shelter, food and cooking equipment they need. Homes, schools, shops and businesses have collapsed in Port-au-Prince where over two million people live,” said Trócaire’s emergency programme manager, Maurice McQuillan.

Online donations can be made at www.trocaire.org

Donations to the Irish Red Cross can also be made online at www.redcross.ie and by calling 1850 507070.

"Currently the Red Cross has pre-positioned relief supplies for 3,000 families in Haiti, with enough pre-positioned supplies for 500 families in Port-au-Prince," said Noel Wardick, head of International Department for the Irish Red Cross.

"These emergency supplies consist of kitchen kits, personal hygiene kits, blankets and containers for storing drinking water,"

A group of experts from the International Federation of the Red Cross Red Crescent (IFRC) will arrive in Haiti later today.

Oxfam Ireland said its staff in Haiti were ready to respond. The organisation, which has a 100 strong-team there, will be responding with public health, water and sanitation services to prevent the spread of waterborne disease.

Oxfam Ireland chief executive Jim Clarken called for the generous support of the Irish public. Donations can be made by calling 1850 304055 in the Republic, and in the North on 0800 0 30 40 55, online at www.oxfamireland.org and at Oxfam Ireland shops.

The Government also pledged emergency assistance in response to the earthquake.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said the Government “had pre-positioned emergency funding with the UN Central Emergency Response Fund for immediate use.

"We are ready to commit additional funding as required, and are consulting with the main NGOs on the release of emergency funds," he said.

Cardinal Seán Brady, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland said his prayers were with those coming to terms with losing family members and friends in the disaster.

"I ask for special prayers to be offered for the injured so that they may find the courage to rebuild their lives, and, that we remember in our prayers those who have died in Haiti due to this catastrophe. "

He also asked for prayers of support to those providing emergency assistance and medical treatment to the injured and displaced.