Dorset Echo backs Haiti earthquake appeal (From Dorset Echo)

Dorset Echo backs Haiti earthquake appeal

3:00pm Monday 18th January 2010 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

THE Dorset Echo is supporting the Disasters' Emergency Committee's Haiti Earthquake Appeal.

The tragedy has already claimed an estimated 100,000 lives on the island, which lies east of Jamaica in the Caribbean. But, unless aid is received very soon, emergency relief workers fear many more will die of illness, injury and starvation.

A spokesman for the DEC, an umbrella group for Britain's leading relief charities said: "We urgently need money to help provide what is needed: medical aid, shelter and assistance with re-building lives. Readers should know that what they give will help people now and in the future."

Click the image above to donate

The earthquake - a severe Magnitude 7 -- struck just seven miles from the capital city of Port-au-Prince, destroying the homes of rich and poor alike. Along with the Presidential Palace; hospitals, schools, parliamentary buildings and the United Nations offices all collapsed, leaving unknown thousands dead or trapped with appalling crush injuries.

Even before the tragedy, Haiti was in a desperate condition, having endured years of dictatorship under the notorious 'Papa Doc' Duvalier and his son, 'Baby Doc'. During their 30 year reign of terror, death gangs roamed the country, murdering opponents and practising Voodoo.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, whose inhabitants live on less than £1.25 a day. It has suffered innumerable earthquakes, hurricanes and floods and has a high incidence of disease.

• Donations can be made by calling the appeal hotline on 0370 60 60 900 or by sending cheques, payable to the DEC Haiti Appeal, to PO Box 999, London EC3A 3AA and quoting our unique code of DE/DHEA/01 - or click the image below.