Earthquake in Haiti

Welthungerhilfe provides 100,000 Euros for immediate aid – "Everything could come apart at the seams"

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake hit impoverished
Haiti on Tuesday, toppling buildings in the capital
© Reuters/REUTERS TV, www.alertnet.org

(13.01.2010) . Welthungerhilfe is providing 100,000 Euros for the victims of the severe earthquake in Haiti. As part of the initial immediate aid measures, those affected are to be provided with vital aid goods, such as drinking water, tents, tarpaulins and food. Welthungerhilfe will be doing this working in cooperation with experienced Haitian partner organisations.

It is still not possible to get a clear picture of the extent of the damage because all electricity supplies and means of communication broke down shortly after the quake.  "Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. High food prices have further exacerbated the situation over the last two years. There have been food riots, and now even the few possessions they had left have been taken away from them" says Michael Kühn, Welthungerhilfe's Regional Director in Haiti.  


Michael Kühn, Regional
Coordinator of
Welthungerhilfe in Haiti.Kühn also views the security situation as critical. "The fact that the presidential palace and the cathedral have been destroyed in the capital city has deeply shocked the people of Haiti. The presidential palace and the cathedral are of great symbolic importance in terms of government authority and religion. The region is already fragile, and could completely come apart at the seams on account of this event. The international community must respond resolutely, and we urgently need donations in order to be able to provide help quickly."

Welthungerhilfe is today sending out two members of its emergency response team who will coordinate and implement the emergency aid measures over the coming days and weeks. 

Welthungerhilfe has been working in Haiti since 1974, and since then it has provided support for more than 124 projects there with a total value of 60 million Euros. Currently it has six seconded employees and 105 Haitian employees working on the island in the Caribbean. The projects focus on food security, irrigation, resource management and drinking water.

Please help us provide immediate lifesaving assistance in Haiti by donating now online.

Or send your donation for the victims of the earthquake in Haiti to:

Welthungerhilfe
Account number 1115
Sparkasse KölnBonn
Sort code 370 501 98
Reference:  Haiti emergency relief