Help for Haiti

Find out how you can help the rescue effort following the Haiti earthquake.

The Disasters Emergency Committee are appealing for donations to help those affected by the huge earthquake that devestated the capital of Haiti.

The president of Haiti says he fears that tens of thousands of people have died but the full extent of the suffering remains unclear.

Up to three million people live in the area worst hit by the quake centred 10 miles southwest of the capital Port-au-Prince.  Many have lost homes and their livelihoods. Essential services have been badly hit.

Roads are blocked, few planes can land at the city’s airport, and communications with the area are sporadic.
UKagencies working on the ground report that hospitals that survived the quake are running out of medicine to treat the many wounded and are struggling to cope.

Controlling infectious diseases and diarrhoea in the coming days will be a major challenge in a country that had poor infrastructure and healthcare before the quake struck.

The U.N. and other agencies that would have been at the forefront of efforts to bring relief are among those that have been badly affected by the quake.

To make a donation to the DEC Haiti appeal visit http://www.dec.org.uk or donate over the counter at any post office or high street bank. 

Anyone wanting to stay up to date with developments in Haiti, the emergency response and the fundraising efforts can follow the DEC on twitter at http://twitter.com/decappeal or become a fan of ‘Disasters-Emergency-Committee-DEC’ on Facebook.

To make a postal donation make cheques payable to ‘DEC Haiti Earthquake’ and mail to ‘PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA’.   Donations can be made at any high street bank, or at a Post Office by quoting Freepay 1449.

The DEC consists of: Action Aid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, World Vision.