Haiti Emergency Appeal
Giving surge wipes away compassion fatigue
SYDNEY, 18 January 2010 – The Haiti tragedy has reignited Australia’s compassion with a surge in giving.
Emergency appeals last year all suffered from ‘compassion fatigue’ after the overwhelming response from Australians to the victims of the Victorian bushfires, according to UNICEF spokesman Martin Thomas.
“We are witnessing a surge in giving that harks back to the extraordinary response by the public to the 2004 Asian Boxing Day Tsunami,” Mr Thomas said.
“The scenes of devastation and suffering are obviously touching the hearts of Australians. We have always been very generous in times of disasters but UNICEF Australia found a lull in this giving post the Victorian bushfire tragedy.”
UNICEF Australia in the first few days of its appeal has so far raised almost $150,000.
Globally UNICEF’s has launched a $120 million relief response to provide water, sanitation, food, medical supplies and blankets to the people impacted by the Haiti earthquake.
“We have had people volunteering to go to help out and others who are donating money that post-Christmas it will be difficult to do without. At this stage of the response donations are what is needed most,” Mr Thomas said.
“Aid is starting to get through to Haiti, but the emergency response required will be enormous and we have to ensure that we continue to receive enough money to ensure aid supplies relentlessly flood into the devastated country.”
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 NOW
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