The Government today pledged emergency assistance for victims of last night's earthquake in Haiti as the Department of Foreign Affairs said it is liaising with US officials to assist Irish citizens there.
In a statement today, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said the full extent of the destruction caused was just emerging.
"Our immediate thoughts are with the people of Haiti and all those who have lost family and friends in this terrible tragedy," he said.
“The Government has already 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.”
Minister of State for Overseas Development Peter Power said members of the Irish Aid Rapid Response Corps were on standby to assist with emergency operations, if required.
"We have also been in contact this morning with NGOs . . . to expedite the release of emergency funding for their response," he said. "Irish Aid will continue to monitor the situation closely to determine how our assistance can most effectively be channelled.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs said this evening that 18 Irish people working in Haiti have been accounted for and are safe. It is understood they had been working with Digicel, Concern and Christian Aid. Two are lay missionaries with Viatores Christi.
Thousands of people are feared dead after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, the most powerful to hit Haiti in more than 200 years, struck the capital Port-au-Prince.
A spokesman said the Irish embassy in Washington has been in contact with the office of secretary of state Hillary Clinton, and that it has promised to offer every assistance in contacting Irish citizens in Haiti.
Anyone concerned about Irish citizens in Haiti can contact the consular assistance section of the Department of Foreign Affairs on 01-408200.
Earlier today, Fine Gael foreign affairs spokesman Billy Timmins called on Mr Martin to offer the Haitian president emergency assistance.
“Ireland has a significant aid budget, and I am calling on the Minister to establish if a sum can be released immediately for emergency relief in Haiti," the Fine Gael TD said, adding it should be established if Ireland’s Rapid Response Corps could be deployed.
Labour foreign affairs spokesman Michael D Higgins said it was crucial "that Ireland take a lead in helping co-ordinate a response" to the earthquake.
"I welcome the promises of support and help from NGOs working in the region, for example Haven, the Irish house-building agency, and again urge the neighbouring, and wider, international community to come to the aid of this tragically stricken country."
Mr Higgins said this type of disaster showed the risk poorer nations faced from natural phenomenon, and he called for a standing humanitarian rapid response unit under the UN.