Haiti Appeals

After having suffered the worst earthquake in 200 years, there are an estimated 2 million people in need of immediate assistance in Haiti. The Red Cross has already speculated that 45,000-50,000 people have died and development organisations such as Oxfam have warned that the actual epicentre of the quake was in the countryside, to which there is currently no access.

Many governments have pledged resources, both financial and labour, and an emergency appeal has been made by many charities, NGOs and civil society organisations in order to provide assistance to the people of Haiti.

Every donation made will be needed to ensure that the people of Haiti can overcome yet another natural disaster and re-build their future. Immediate priorities will naturally be to provide safe water and shelter to the countless that have lost their homes. Medical supplies are in high demand and organisations such as the Red Cross desperately need funds in order to address the urgent needs of survivors.

Co-ordination among aid agencies is required to ensure the right kind of relief is effectively and swiftly provided. Many organisations have decades of experience responding to humanitarian crises and others have the acute skills necessary to provide much needed assistance. Some organisations specialise in responding to the immediate needs of survivors and others plan for long term development so that the survivors can re-build their lives. Some do both.

Naturally people will donate to organisations that they trust and this is important. Agencies already working in Haiti though or those with years of humanitarian response experience should be supported too. Quick fix solutions or organisations promoting holiday development will not sufficiently address the very real needs of the people of Haiti. Please give, but think about who you give to.