ID :
100594
Sun, 01/17/2010 - 02:53
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/100594
The shortlink copeid
Aussies give generously to Haiti
Australians have been quick to donate generously to appeals for help for victims of
earthquake-ravaged Haiti, with money providing clean water and shelter.
World Vision Australia said people had shown "amazing compassion", with their Haiti
appeal so far raising more than $725,000, which is on par with donations received
after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
"The generosity of ordinary Australians will make a direct, meaningful difference to
the lives of people affected by the Haiti earthquake," World Vision spokeswoman
Anthea Spinks said in a statement.
As part of World Vision's worldwide operation, an aircraft carrying 18 tonnes of
emergency supplies arrived in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on Saturday
afternoon.
Items included tarpaulins for temporary shelter, blankets, hygiene kits, cooking
sets and water containers.
The earthquake has devastated the capital, with local officials saying at least
50,000 people have been killed in the disaster.
World Vision Australia aid worker Ruth Mlay (Mlay) on Friday was working just north
of Port-au-Prince, giving supplies to a hospital filled to capacity.
"We gave the hospital our supplies of water, juice and anything else we have to
assist while Word Vision staff source further supplies from hospitals in other
areas," she said.
"Very soon Port-au-Prince could become a ghost town as people return to their rural
homes in search of shelter.
"Australians need to know that the situation is pretty dire."
Oxfam Australia's appeal has so far received more than $300,000.
"(It's) a very generous appeal and people have also responded quite quickly, which
we're really appreciative of," Oxfam spokeswoman Kate Thwaites told AAP on Saturday.
"What we're looking at in Haiti is an enormous aid effort and we will need all of
that money and more to fund it, so we are still very appreciative of donations that
people can still make."
The donations will contribute to provide essentials like clean water and sanitation.
"One of the key things in situations like this is making sure that people have clean
water and sanitation because otherwise disease starts to spread.
"So we're putting the immediate focus on getting clean water to people."
The Australian government's aid commitment stands at $10 million.
Donations to the World Vision or Oxfam Haiti appeals can be made online.
World No.1 Roger Federer and world No.2 Rafael Nadal, as well as women's stars
Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters and Samantha Stosur, will play a series of mixed
doubles matches in the "Hit For Haiti" event.
"I had the idea we could do something to help Haiti so I spoke to some other top
players and they all said 'yes, we should do something'," Federer said.
"There'll be a donation at the door of $10 to come and see us play. It's something
as a tennis family we're happy to do."
Other players are expected to be added to the line-up ahead of the event, which
starts at 2pm (AEDT) on Sunday.
earthquake-ravaged Haiti, with money providing clean water and shelter.
World Vision Australia said people had shown "amazing compassion", with their Haiti
appeal so far raising more than $725,000, which is on par with donations received
after the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
"The generosity of ordinary Australians will make a direct, meaningful difference to
the lives of people affected by the Haiti earthquake," World Vision spokeswoman
Anthea Spinks said in a statement.
As part of World Vision's worldwide operation, an aircraft carrying 18 tonnes of
emergency supplies arrived in the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on Saturday
afternoon.
Items included tarpaulins for temporary shelter, blankets, hygiene kits, cooking
sets and water containers.
The earthquake has devastated the capital, with local officials saying at least
50,000 people have been killed in the disaster.
World Vision Australia aid worker Ruth Mlay (Mlay) on Friday was working just north
of Port-au-Prince, giving supplies to a hospital filled to capacity.
"We gave the hospital our supplies of water, juice and anything else we have to
assist while Word Vision staff source further supplies from hospitals in other
areas," she said.
"Very soon Port-au-Prince could become a ghost town as people return to their rural
homes in search of shelter.
"Australians need to know that the situation is pretty dire."
Oxfam Australia's appeal has so far received more than $300,000.
"(It's) a very generous appeal and people have also responded quite quickly, which
we're really appreciative of," Oxfam spokeswoman Kate Thwaites told AAP on Saturday.
"What we're looking at in Haiti is an enormous aid effort and we will need all of
that money and more to fund it, so we are still very appreciative of donations that
people can still make."
The donations will contribute to provide essentials like clean water and sanitation.
"One of the key things in situations like this is making sure that people have clean
water and sanitation because otherwise disease starts to spread.
"So we're putting the immediate focus on getting clean water to people."
The Australian government's aid commitment stands at $10 million.
Donations to the World Vision or Oxfam Haiti appeals can be made online.
World No.1 Roger Federer and world No.2 Rafael Nadal, as well as women's stars
Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters and Samantha Stosur, will play a series of mixed
doubles matches in the "Hit For Haiti" event.
"I had the idea we could do something to help Haiti so I spoke to some other top
players and they all said 'yes, we should do something'," Federer said.
"There'll be a donation at the door of $10 to come and see us play. It's something
as a tennis family we're happy to do."
Other players are expected to be added to the line-up ahead of the event, which
starts at 2pm (AEDT) on Sunday.
