The news out of Haiti is just catastrophic. It's shaping up to be one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time. I'm sure you've been seeing the heart-stopping footage on the news of people badly injured, without shelter, food, and water—dazed by the sheer magnitude of what's happened.
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| ©UN Photo/Logan Abassi |
| A poor neighborhood shows the damage after an earthquake measuring 7 plus on the Richter scale rocked Port-au-Prince Haiti just before 5 pm January 12. |
UNICEF has been on the ground in Haiti since 1949. While the UNICEF compound in Port-au-Prince was damaged, we are very lucky that there were no UNICEF fatalities (though we've lost many valued UN partners). UNICEF Haiti staff have been working nonstop since the disaster. But the needs are overwhelming. As I write, UNICEF is rushing supplies and teams of experts to the region to join the relief effort.
Last night, a cargo plane landed with $500,000 worth of supplies including tarps and tents for much-needed temporary shelter. It also included water purification tablets and oral rehydration salts which will help combat the very deadly diarrheal diseases that prey on vulnerable children and their families in the wake of natural disasters like this.
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| ©AP/photographer |
| Injured people sit along Delmas road the day after an earthquake struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti. |
That initial planeload of supplies is just the tip of the iceberg. Supplies are streaming in from UNICEF's enormous warehouse in Copenhagen, and from Santo Domingo, where a task force has assembled to coordinate UNICEF relief. UNICEF is supplying water, shelter, blankets, therapeutic food, medical supplies… We're coordinating with other humanitarian organizations, and taking the lead on water and sanitation issues.
The problems for the people of Haiti are, in many ways, just beginning. As the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haiti's road to recovery will be a long, hard one. And they will continue to need a lot of help.
It's been amazing to witness people like you show generosity during this period. And, as you probably already know, every single penny you donate to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF right now for Haiti relief is sent directly to UNICEF help with the emergency. If you haven't given yet, please consider a donation. It is the best way you can help those in Haiti now.
