Latest update April 18th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 15, 2010 News
Much needed assistance from the International Red Cross and Red Crescent teams have started to arrive in Haiti. According to a release several Emergency Response Units (ERU) have been deployed with staff from Red Cross and Red Crescent societies all over the world
It was noted that a first group of specialists has already started to further assess the damage caused by the devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake that hit the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on Tuesday. This, the release indicated is essential to ensure that help reaches the most vulnerable and that all available resources are used where they can do the most good.
“The ERUs will provide urgently needed support to the staff and volunteers of Haiti Red Cross who have been assisting the population with pre-positioned relief items since the earthquake struck. Among other things, the ERU members will establish a fully equipped field hospital. Other ERUs are specialized in relief coordination, water and sanitation, shelter, telecommunications and health,” the release added.
Currently, the most urgent needs are search and rescue and emergency health care as well as shelter and access to clean water. Thousands of people in Haiti are currently spending the nights on the streets and scared in the streets of Port-au-Prince as they are now homeless.
On Wednesday, the IFRC launched a preliminary emergency appeal seeking 10 million Swiss francs (US$10M/6.8 million euro) to assist approximately 100,000 people (20,000 families) for nine months. This appeal, the release said, will be revised in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) estimates that up to three million people might have been affected by the earthquake which amounts to about a third of the population of the country. The IFRC coordinates the action taken by its partners within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. It is also working closely with external partners to bring essential assistance to the most vulnerable communities as quickly as possible.
Financial contributions, the release added, allow the Red Cross to purchase exactly what is needed for the disaster relief operation and also enable the purchase relief supplies close to the disaster site which avoids delays and transportation costs in getting basic necessities to disaster victims. Because the affected community has generally experienced significant economic loss, purchasing relief supplies in or close to the disaster site also helps to stimulate the weakened local economy, the release noted.
The Guyana Red Cross Society is making an appeal for emergency monetary donations to the following bank accounts to assist in the response effort in Haiti. Donations can be made to Guyana Red Cross Accounts at Guyana Bank for Trade & Industry (GBTI) – CIDA-814213, Bank of Nova Scotia – 109778 and Republic Bank Guyana Ltd. – 276-304-3
Cheques and/or monetary donations can also be taken to Guyana Red Cross Headquarters, Eve Leary.
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