Friday 15 January 2010
Save the Children races to get relief to families
As many as 2 million children affected by Haiti earthquake
As many as two million children could be affected by the earthquake in Haiti, warned
Save the Children Australia.
“The lives and wellbeing of millions of children are threatened in this crisis,” said Mike
Penrose Save the Children’s Senior Emergency Advisor. “Our job now is to ensure
children are protected from any further harm and to ensure their wellbeing.”
On Thursday morning local time in Haiti, Australian Ian Rodgers who works for Save the
Children was joined by an emergency response team who reached the capital, Port-au-
Prince. The Save the Children team is working on the ground to overcome logistical
challenges in getting earthquake relief to children and families in extreme need.
Because Save the Children’s offices did not suffer the structural damage of other aid
organisations, aid workers have taken refuge in the agency’s compound, where
operations are being run out of offices and tents.
United Nations offices have also suffered major damage in Haiti. Save the Children will
work closely with UNICEF to coordinate the child protection response, to include helping
children remain with and be cared for by their families.
Save the Children’s current relief efforts also include organizing the distribution of tents,
medicine, and toiletries to families. The agency has been working in Haiti since 1985
and has provided emergency relief and assistance to Haitian children and families
following various recent disasters, including hurricanes and floods.
To Donate to Save the Children’s Haiti earthquake emergency appeal:
Call 1800 76 00 11
For more information, or to arrange an interview
call Ian Woolverton on 0437 355 096
NEWS 
