DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal
Written by Anthony Halewood
Following the harrowing reports of the humanitarian disaster caused by the recent earthquake in Haiti, the Looprevil Press urges all of its readers and members to donate to the DEC Haiti Earthquake appeal.

Tens of thousands of people are feared dead, with many more trapped under the rubble of collapsed hospitals, schools and shanty towns in the Haitian capital of Port-Au-Prince alone. Medical supplies, food and clean drinking water are needed urgently. The UN have already flown 6000 tons of food aid to what was already the poorest country in the western hemisphere, but this is not enough, and there are still difficulties distributing the aid.

The port at Port-Au-Prince has been damaged so much that it is impossible for ships carrying aid to dock, and only one of the three runways in the airport is undamaged. This means that much of the aid has to be flown to Santa Domingo airport in the neighboring Dominican Republic, and transported by road for at least ten hours. However the damaged bridges are making even this journey treacherous.

Your donation could help someone who has lost everything in the 7.0 magnitude earthquake. Médecins Sans Frontières have already treated at least 1,500 patients in emergency medical centres and surgeries made of tents. Bill Clinton, the UN Special Envoy to Haiti said 'The most immediate thing now is for people even to give small amounts of money, but we need large numbers of people giving small amounts of money so we can get food, water, medical supplies and shelter there'.

You can donate to the DEC Haiti Earthquake appeal online, by phoning 0370 60 60 900, by quoting Freepay reference 1449 at any high street bank or branch of the post office or by sending a cheque made payable to DEC Haiti Earthquake to DEC Haiti Earthquake, PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA. If you are a UK taxpayer, please download the postal donation form to ensure that your donation is eligible for gift aid.