Media release
14 January 2010
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| Residents pass by
collapsed buildings after the earthquake in Port-au-Prince 13
January, 2010. |
REUTERS/Eduardo
Munoz
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| A man reacts while
searching for relatives after the earthquake in
Port-au-Prince. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz |
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| Caritas Haiti staff member
Christroi de Madian |
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Caritas delivers emergency assistance in Haiti as appeal is
opened
“It is a disaster of the century. We should be prepared for
thousands of dead and injured”, said Caritas USA staff member
Karel Zalenka from Port au Prince. Mr Zalenka who works with USA Caritas
member Catholic Relief Services said Port-au-Prince is covered
with a plume of dust from damaged buildings. I’ve been in
earthquakes before, but I’ve never felt anything like this
before” he said before communications were cut off.
Caritas will provide immediate assistance to survivors following the
deadly earthquake in Haiti. Caritas Internationalis has assembled an
emergency relief team that is flying to Haiti to provide support to
Caritas members already working in the country.
Communications are badly affected on the ground and as yet no contact
has been made with Caritas Haiti. The Cathedral in Port-au-Prince,
adjacent to the Caritas Haiti office, is badly damaged.
Caritas has extensive operations across Haiti supported by global
Caritas members. Catholic Relief Services (a Caritas member in the USA)
has been in communication with its staff in Haiti. Their office is still
standing and staff present at the time of the quake are safe. CRS staff
described the quake as “a major hit…a direct hit”.
Caritas Internationalis Humanitarian Director Alistair Dutton is leading
the team. He said, “We already know that Caritas staff will be
providing support to survivors of the earthquake, such as food, shelter
and comfort through churches and parish networks.
Ms Jamie Davies, Director of Caritas Australia’s Programs team and
with extensive experience in Haiti said, “An initial priority for
Caritas will be to assess the damage and our local capacity to provide
aid to survivors of the quake. Caritas runs over 200 hospitals and
medical centres in Haiti. It is experienced and prepared to respond to
humanitarian disasters there as a result of the frequent hurricanes.
“Communication with our staff on the ground is difficult, but we
are piecing together a picture of desperate need. Haiti is the poorest
country in the Western hemisphere. Conflict, recent natural disasters,
and poverty has left Haitians with a weak infrastructure. Working in
that environment will be difficult”, concluded Ms Davies.
You can support the Caritas Australia Haiti Emergency
Response Appeal by calling 1800 024 413 or by donating
online.
For more information please contact Tim O’Connor (02) 8306
3400 or 0417 284 831.
Read Media Release, 15 January 2010: Caritas
delivers aid in Haiti: calls for urgent support
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