Hell in Haiti - Action Against Hunger mounts emergency response

HAITI EARTHQUAKE:

ACTION AGAINST HUNGER MOUNTS EMERGENCY RESPONSE

International humanitarian organisation Action Against Hunger | ACF International is putting in motion an emergency response to help the survivors of the devastating earthquake which struck Haiti yesterday. An emergency response team is on its way to reinforce the 100 ACF field workers already on the ground, and additional emergency supplies, including water, sanitation relief equipment and food supplies will be flown in later today.

ACF’s immediate priority is to ensure its entire staff is safe. The organisation’s offices have been severely damaged, many of its supplies have been destroyed and communication channels are down. ACF teams on the ground are preparing to assess the damage and evaluate the needs of the survivors. ACF is also preparing to transport relief supplies, such as water treatment stations and cars from Gonaives to Port au Prince.

“The extent of the devastation is still unclear in the country’s capital, Port au Prince,” said Action Against Hunger’s Executive Director, Jean Michel Grand. But for a country already contending with endemic poverty and an insufficient water and sanitation infrastructure, the effects of this earthquake are catastrophic. “Our teams are extremely concerned for the survivors’ welfare, particularly, access to safe drinking water and food supplies. Chronic malnutrition rates in the country are already high, and it is likely that food supplies have been destroyed.”

Action Against Hunger has implemented programmes in Haiti since 1985, carrying out emergency measures in the areas of health and nutrition, areas of health and nutrition. Since 2001, we have focused primarily on food security and water, sanitation and hygiene programmes in both emergency and development contexts in Port de Paix, Gonaives, Anse Rouge and Jeremiah.

Action Against Hunger has launched a public emergency appeal. Call 08456 003618 or visit www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk.

-ENDS-

Notes to the editor:

For interviews with aid workers in Haiti, images, or more information please contact:

Lucile Grosjean (Spokesperson in Haiti): + 33 6 70 01 58 43 / + 33 6 64 16 21 13 / lgrosjean@actioncontrelafaim.org

Christine Kahmann (UK): 020 8293 6197 / 079 8332 6556 / c.kahmann@aahuk.org

Action Against Hunger | ACF International is an international humanitarian organisation committed to ending child hunger. Recognised as a leader in the fight against malnutrition, ACF works to save the lives of malnourished children while providing communities with sustainable access to safe water and long-term solutions to hunger. With 30 years of expertise in emergency situations of conflict, natural disaster, and chronic food insecurity, ACF runs life-saving programmes in some 40 countries benefiting 5 million people each year. www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk