VOLUNTEERS:AT LEAST one Concern staff member was killed in the earthquake that struck Haiti, and a further two local staff members are still missing.
Speaking about the impact of the earthquake on their staff, Paul O’Brien, overseas director for the charity, said: “They personally experienced the quake and had to deal with that only to discover they had lost family members, their houses and, now, work colleagues as well. They are suffering from, and trying to deal with, the psychological trauma of this in what are horrendous circumstances.”
Of Concern’s 100 local staff, 57 were based in the capital Port-au-Prince, along with six international staff members. Another 12 international staff members have travelled to Haiti as the aid effort for the survivors continues.
Asked about the response from the Irish public to the disaster, Mr O’Brien said: “There has been a great response. It’s truly amazing, considering the recession and the things that Ireland has had to face in terms for floods and bad weather. Irish people can still look out and care about the plight of their fellow man.”
Goal has received more than €750,000 for Haiti from the Irish public, while the Irish Red Cross has raised more than €450,000.