World Vision’s relief effort is scaling up as more supplies start to arrive in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince following Tuesday’s (Jan 12) devastating earthquake.
Despite incredibly challenging conditions, with little government infrastructure left in place, World Vision staff and volunteers have already been able to reach and assist thousands of people.
World Vision’s relief activities so far have included:
- 140 families provided with hygiene and kitchen kits
- Medical supplies to 11 hospitals from pre-positioned medical stock in Haiti
- Blankets to 500 people
- A World Vision mobile clinic in Petion-Ville established and attending to small injuries
- Water distributed to 300 individuals
- Water and clothing kits will be distributed to 1,000 families on Saturday (local ime)
- World Vision volunteers are providing triage medical assistance at local clinics for the injured
- Assessments are continuing of most urgent needs
A World Vision airlift of 18 tons of emergency supplies has also arrived in Port-au-Prince.
The US$75,000 life-saving shipment includes tarps to create temporary shelters, blankets, hygiene kits, cooking sets, and collapsible water containers.
The relief agency has also secured the services of a light cargo aircraft which will make two rotations a day between Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic and Port-au-Prince to bring in further urgently-needed supplies.
As a child-focussed organisation, World Vision’s prime concern is still for the vulnerable and traumatised child victims of this disaster and it is working to provide a complete response for the well-being and protection of these little ones.
New Zealanders are being asked to support World Vision’s relief efforts by lending a hand and making a donation on 0800 80 2000 or pledging $30 through their Telecom account by phoning 0900 4 HOPE. Alternatively contributions can be made online at www.worldvision.org.nz.
