Just a week on from the earthquake that hit Haiti, the DEC have been overwhelmed by the generosity of the UK public. The total raised within the first week stood at a staggering figure of £25m to assist the earthquake-ravaged nation.

Responding to the Haiti earthquake has been one of the toughest challenges ever, international aid agency Oxfam said, one week since the quake struck, killing at least 80,000 people.

The 6.1-magnitude aftershock was about 6.2 miles deep, with an epicenter about 35 miles west-southwest of Port-au-Prince. As the full scale of the tragedy continues to unfold survivors of the earthquake in Haiti on the 15th January continue to rely on the generosity of donors.

The massive response shows the UK public understand that member agencies need their support as they overcome communications and logistical problems to help people desperately needing assistance.
Disaster Emergency Committee (DEC) Chief Executive Brendan Gormley said:
“It does show that whatever financial concerns people are experiencing here in the UK, they feel a deep level of empathy for the people of Haiti, and will give whatever they can.
“Our partner agencies have been distributing aid and installing vital equipment, such as water bladders and medical facilities. We know that people are being reached, but there is a huge challenge ahead, and much more work to be done. The area affected by this earthquake is huge, and devastation wrecked upon the infrastructure of Haiti means agencies face many obstacles. However our members are working round the clock to both meet urgent needs and plan for longer-term reconstruction, thanks to the continued generosity of the British public”
The thirteen member agencies of the DEC include Action Aid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision.

To make a donation to the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal visit www.dec.org.uk or call 0370 60 60 900, donate over the counter at any post office or high street bank, or send a cheque made payable to ‘DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal’ to ‘PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA’.

Add comment on this article