MEDIA RELEASE
January 19, 2010.
Generous Australians buoy Haiti relief efforts.
Caritas aid is being delivered in Port-au-Prince, as more than 5,000 people have already
been assisted with aid including medical care, food, clean water and hygiene kits. In the
coming weeks the Caritas response is planning to assist a further 50,000 as the aid
response swings into high gear.
In a massive show of solidarity, Caritas organisations from around the world have sent
200,000 blankets, 15,000 tents, water cans and purification tablets, as well as food, water
and hygiene kits. Twenty trucks of aid arrived in Port-au-Prince on Sunday as part of relief
efforts from Caritas members which are set to top $30 million.
Caritas has set up two mobile operating theatres with pre and post operative care and
provided medicines and fuel. Six mobile clinics will soon be operational. As late as
Saturday three people were pulled from the rubble by rescue teams.
An emergency clinic is being flown in from Holland, with personnel including a surgeon, six
technical staff for installing water purifying installations and seven water purifying
installations.
Thirty-four tonnes of aid will be flown into Haiti from Germany on Tuesday. Half will given
out in Port-au-Prince and the other half will be distributed closer to the epicentre, in the
south of the countr, yet to receive significant aid supplies. A ship with 80 containers of food
has also arrived.
“The real strength of Caritas is its network of parishes that gives us direct contact with
communities and a point from which we can provide help”,” said Alistair Dutton,
Humanitarian Director for Caritas Internationalis, who is leading the coordination of the
international Caritas response from Port-au-Prince.
Jack de Groot CEO of Caritas Australia said, “though the situation on the ground remains
extremely desperate; the response of the Australian public has been incredible. Our staff
on the ground are being overwhelmed with demand for basic necessities and medical
treatment and our local partners are working around the clock to deliver relief.
“Australians must be congratulated for their support for the people of Haiti in their darkest
hour of need.. Caritas Australia has raised over $400,000 so far. This is an incredible
show of solidarity and a great morale booster for our people on the ground.
“The extent of the disaster is still unfolding yet it is already clear it will take years to rebuild.
All the support the Australian public has given us will be used to assist the people of Haiti
in the short, medium and long term, recover from this tragedy”, said Mr de Groot.
You can support the Caritas Australia Haiti Emergency Relief Appeal by
More information Tim O’Connor 02) 8306 3400 or 0417 284 831
The Catholic Agency for International Aid and Development
28-32 O’Riordan St, Alexandria, NSW, Australia, 2015 Toll Free 1800 024 413 Facsimile 1800 887 895
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