Haiti Earthquake Emergency Appeal

organized by World Jewish Relief
15 January 2010

A major earthquake measuring 7.0 magnitude on the Richter scale struck the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, on Tuesday 12 January. Much of the city has been flattened, leaving this impoverished Caribbean nation appealing for international assistance.

The quake's epicentre was only 10 miles (16 km) from Port-au-Prince, and aftershocks as powerful as 5.9 rattled the city throughout the night and into Wednesday. A five-story U.N. building was also brought down by the major earthquake, the most powerful to hit Haiti in more than 200 years.

The country is desperately poor and densely populated: most of the two million residents of the capital city live squeezed into shanty towns that are perched on steep ravines, which are extremely vulnerable to collapse. Thousands are feared dead, buried in the rubble of demolished schools, homes and hospitals. Precise numbers will not be known until the full extent of the damage is understood. Damage to buildings and infrastructure is widespread and Port au Prince remains without electricity, communication and water. The airport is reportedly open but roads to the capital remain partially blocked.

Residents of the city remain on the streets, fearing to return to their homes in case of further collapse. Bodies also remain on the streets and trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.

Needs assessments are being carried out now as emergency response teams begin to arrive in the country. Immediate priorities include search and rescue, medical services and supplies, clean water, emergency shelter, food, logistics and telecommunications.

World Jewish Relief (WJR), in its capacity as the primary humanitarian aid agency of the UK Jewish community, has launched an emergency appeal to assist those affected by this disaster. We will be working with trusted partners on the ground to provide emergency food, health care and shelter to those who need it most.

Please visit the World Jewish Relief website to the original post and to donate: www.wjr.org.uk