Disasters Emergency Committee to launch Haiti fundraising campaign

The money raised will support the efforts of the DEC’s members which are the major UK aid agencies and will appeal for donations to help those affected by the huge earthquake that devastated the capital of Haiti.

Actor John Hurt and presenter Kirsty Young will front appeals asking for help for the impoverished nation struck by the quake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale on Tuesday (January 12).

The president of Haiti says he fears that tens of thousands of people have died but the full extent of the suffering remains unclear. Up to three million people live in the area worst hit by the quake centred 10 miles southwest of the capital Port-au-Prince. Many have lost homes and their livelihoods. Essential services have been badly hit.

John Hurt says: “This is a huge tragedy that has affected millions of people living in one of the poorest nations in the world. Please give generously so aid agencies can bring medicine, clean water, and other essentials to help get these people back on their feet.”

There are not enough body bags to collect the dead lying in the streets. There are concerns that supply of drinking water will last only several more days.

Announcing the broadcast appeal, Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Chief Executive Brendan Gormley says: “This huge quake has ripped apart the lives of millions of people in one of the poorest nations of the world. It is clear after the immediate rescue attempt is completed we will be left with ongoing humanitarian challenges.

“DEC member agencies and their partners are responding but face terrible suffering. We urgently need the public’s help for their work.”

Members of the DEC are grappling with huge logistical difficulties to bring aid into the country as attempts continue to rescue survivors from the rubble of ruined buildings.

Donation lines and the website are already open for donations.

The donation line is 0370 60 60 900 and website is dec.org.uk.