Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

HelpAge International logo.

HelpAge International logo.

What has happened?

  • There are more than 600 informal camps made up of more than half a million people (many unable to sleep in own homes or afraid to do so because of aftershocks).  Camps very crowded and unsanitary.
  • Huge queues building up outside French, Canadian and US embassies as people are lining up to get visas to leave the country.
  • Petrol & diesel shortages creating high competition & long queues, although some shops are opening.
  • Female ward of the Municipal Nursing Home was destroyed and male ward standing, but not suitable for habitation due to structural damage: so residents are currently living outside.

How have older people been affected?

  • Not many older people visible in makeshift camps, leaving open the question: where are they?  How many have died?  If they originally came from outside the capital, how many have already returned to their towns of origin?
  • Emergency team are currently carrying out assessments and working closely with other agencies to ensure needs of older people are being met.
  • It has been suggested that if we were to organise relief distribution for older people, it would cause resentment and possible riot so we are looking at distributing food with another agency.

What are we doing in the UK?

  • We remain a member of the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal, which raised a further £4 million over the weekend, bringing total to £45 million so far.
  • We have sent appeal mailing to 121,000 individual donors; applications to over 100 major donors and 35 trusts; we have also had appeal online since within 12 hours of the earthquake.

What are we doing on the ground?

  • Challenging to start widespread relief distribution: staff of local partners have themselves been affected (homes & offices destroyed; family members killed or injured).
  • We are working with other agencies to ensure more effective relief: ie World Vision provided water and food to Municipal Nursing Home, to which we supplied tarpaulins, doctors and nurses.
  • Local partner CARPA is planning to provide basic medical assistance to 10 locations (9 spontaneous camps and the Municipal Nursing Home).
  • Another local partner, APROSIFA, is requesting a large amount of medicines for distribution in local slum communities.  It has 4 buildings in the capital, all of which were extensively damaged.

What can you do?

  • Donate to our own appeal on Help The Aged or Age Concern or to Disasters Emergency Committee appeal.
  • Alternatively donate via Customer Service team on 020 7239 1983 or through DEC line 0370 60 60 900 .
  • Request Disasters Emergency Committeeposter via Margaret.earle@ace.org.uk to raise awareness and donations.
  • Buy Simon Cowell’s charity record (REM’s Everybody Hurts), most proceeds going to Disasters Emergency Committee.
  • Join us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up to date. You can also watch the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal on YouTube and see images on Flickr.
  • See Age UK website for updates as well as update of sister organisation, HelpAge International where you will find up-to-date photos and case studies.