Haiti Emergency Appeal
Emergency supplies airlifted to devastated quake zone
SYDNEY, 14 January 2010 – A SPECIAL shipment of emergency supplies is due to land in quake devastated Haiti tonight as part of a major relief effort launched by UNICEF.
UNICEF staff in Haiti are now providing emergency aid, including supplies of clean water and sanitation facilities.
The first wave of emergency supplies, due to arrive tonight (AEST), includes 10,000 tarpaulins, 4,600 water containers, 5.5 million water purification tablets, 500,000 oral rehydration sachets, tents and medical trauma kits.
As well as this initial air-lift, a shipment of emergency supplies will arrive in Panama by boat today from UNICEF’s supply division in Copenhagen. While further supply flights will arrive over the coming days.
Despite the UNICEF building in Port-au-Prince being badly damaged in the devastating quake all of UNICEF’s 50 staff in the country are now confirmed as being unharmed.
“The devastation of this quake, destroying hospitals, roads and communications, has brought tremendous challenges to launching an emergency response. The scale of this disaster is massive, with hundreds of thousands of people impacted,” UNICEF Australia spokesperson Martin Thomas.
“The most urgent needs for children and their families affected are search and rescue, field hospitals, emergency health, water purification, emergency shelter, logistics and telecommunications.
“UNICEF’s initial efforts will be to ensure children and their families have access to clean water and sanitation, food, medical supplies and temporary shelter. When a disaster on this scale strikes there is always a terrible risk of disease as clean water and medical supplies are often cut off.”
Almost half the population of Haiti is under the age of 18 and already one quarter of the country’s children suffer from malnutrition. UNICEF is greatly concerned for the children and their families who have been so terribly impacted by this tragedy.
Donate to UNICEF Australia’s Haiti Emergency Appeal or phone 1300 884 233.
For every dollar donated for the Haiti earthquake, through UNICEF Australia, a minimum of 90 cents will reach children affected.
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.
For more information, please contact:
Martin Thomas, UNICEF Australia
0401 332 399
mthomas@unicef.org.au
Martha Tattersall, UNICEF Australia
0421 570 393
mtattersall@unicef.org.au