Emergency Relief Reaching Victims in Haiti
Photo Credit: ICCO/ACT
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Despite the current chaos of aid distribution, PWS&D is managing to get food, temporary shelter, and clean water into the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince by working through the ACT Alliance. Together, we are helping victims of the devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake access the relief they desperately need.
The streets are still thronged with homeless people, walking for hours to find food and water. There has been widespread destruction of homes, schools and other buildings, as well as major damage to key water, electricity and road systems. Port-au-Prince’s heavily congested airport is finally allowing aid to get through, however it comes as Haitians turn on each other in the increasingly desperate fight for food and water.
As one of the largest alliances working on relief in Haiti, the ACT Alliance is distributing food, tents, hygiene kits, and water purifiers. Medical professionals, engineers and trauma specialists are working hard to get people the support they need.
Buildings remain fragile and are at risk of collapse. Rain has worsened the situation and the health risk of contagious disease remains high. United Nations Secretary Ban Ki-moon has described the situation as one of the worst humanitarian crises in decades and implored for calm in the beleaguered capital. Although the number of dead is still unknown, estimates range from 50,000 to 200,000 people.
Your Help is Needed Today
You can help bring emergency relief items to the people of Haiti by making a donation to PWS&D. Call 1-800-619-7301 ext. 291, donating online, through your church or mail a cheque to the office. Please mark all donations “Haiti Earthquake Relief.” The Canadian International Development Agency is matching donations from individual Canadians until February 12, 2010.
Presbyterian World Service & Development is the development and relief agency of The Presbyterian Church in Canada.
