Haiti Earthquake: World Vision UK Responds

World Vision is preparing relief flights and staff to respond to the massive earthquake that hit Haiti late Tuesday night. World Vision has worked in Haiti for 30 years and has some 370 staff in country.

Downed communications, blocked roads and continuing aftershocks slowed relief efforts overnight, with staff unable to leave the agency’s Port-au-Prince office for several hours due to fallen debris in the roadways caused by the earthquake.

“It felt as if a truck had hit a wall,” said World Vision staffer Magalie Boyer, of the initial tremor. “There is extensive damage in the city. People had to spend the night in the streets. They are not comfortable staying in their houses.”
 
Boyer added: “World Vision Haiti will distribute first aid kits to survivors, along with basic materials such as soap, blankets, clothes and bottles of water as an initial response.”
 
With an initial load of supplies already in the Haitian capital, World Vision plans to start distributing today – as well as assessing for further needs.

“An earthquake of this magnitude anywhere in the world is of major concern, but it is especially devastating in Haiti, where 85 per cent of the population struggles to survive on little more than a pound a day. Haitians are acutely vulnerable because of poor infrastructure and extreme poverty,” said Mark Bulpitt, World Vision UK’s head of emergencies.

Reaching hard-hit areas with supplies is expected to be a significant challenge due to damaged roads and infrastructure, including the main airport and government buildings.

World Vision will provide up-to-date Haiti earthquake information as it becomes available.

13 January 2010