ID :
99958
Thu, 01/14/2010 - 11:32
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/99958
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Nine Aussies confirmed safe in Haiti
(AAP) - Nine Australians known to be in Haiti are safe, but fears remain for others after the most powerful earthquake in more than 200 years devastated the Caribbean country.
The quake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck the capital Port-au-Prince on
Wednesday Australian time, toppling buildings and triggering fears of a death toll
running into hundreds.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says nine Australians are okay.
"But we are still seeking to confirm the safety of a small number of other
Australians who may also be in Haiti," a spokesperson said in a statement.
Australian aid worker Ian Rodgers says the earthquake struck with "extreme force and
ferocity".
"What's resulted is a lot of landsliding, and buildings have collapsed and then
fallen down the hillside," he told Network Ten from Port-au-Prince.
"Electricity is now off. We have had reports hospitals are damaged and destroyed.
We're trying to find out what is functioning and what is not functioning."
Mr Rodgers - Save the Children's senior emergency adviser - said he could hear
people pleading for help.
"There's a lot of distress and wailing of people trying to find loved ones who are
trapped under buildings and rubble."
While the scope of the disaster remains unclear, it's obvious tens of thousands of
people have lost their homes and many have perished.
Buildings in Haiti - the poorest country in the western hemisphere - are flimsy and
dangerous even under normal conditions.
World Vision's Dominic McInerney described the situation as "chaotic".
"Haiti is a pretty poor and chaotic place at the best of times and that's been
magnified by the earthquake," he told AAP.
The aid agency has one Australian employee in Haiti - Melbourne-based Ruth Mlay.
She was north of Port-au-Prince when the quake struck but will travel to the
capital's outskirts on Wednesday local time.
"There is no certainty of the number of casualties at the moment," Ms Mlay told Mr
McInerney via Skype.
"The quake happened late in the evening and it got dark pretty fast.
"There is no phone communication in the country at the moment."
Some 5,000 children sponsored by Australians through World Vision are alive and
well. They're on another island off the coast of Port-au-Prince.
Plan Australia's disaster manager Rohan Kent says the situation in Haiti is
dangerous for everyone.
"The search and rescue period is what's happening now," he told AAP.
"In the middle of the night I dare say it's quite dangerous given Haiti's background."
There are already reports of looting.
Mr Kent said over the next few days Plan would conduct an assessment of what relief
was needed.
"Based on experience, the immediate needs of food, water and shelter will be
paramount," he said.
Oxfam Australia says it's difficult to get relief into Haiti quickly as the airport
is closed.
The Australian government will respond to requests for assistance from the Haitian
authorities "and ensure it is coordinated with regional and international efforts",
DFAT said.
People concerned about family and friends in Haiti are being urged to try and
contact them directly.
If that fails an emergency number is available on (02) 6261 3305.
The quake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck the capital Port-au-Prince on
Wednesday Australian time, toppling buildings and triggering fears of a death toll
running into hundreds.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) says nine Australians are okay.
"But we are still seeking to confirm the safety of a small number of other
Australians who may also be in Haiti," a spokesperson said in a statement.
Australian aid worker Ian Rodgers says the earthquake struck with "extreme force and
ferocity".
"What's resulted is a lot of landsliding, and buildings have collapsed and then
fallen down the hillside," he told Network Ten from Port-au-Prince.
"Electricity is now off. We have had reports hospitals are damaged and destroyed.
We're trying to find out what is functioning and what is not functioning."
Mr Rodgers - Save the Children's senior emergency adviser - said he could hear
people pleading for help.
"There's a lot of distress and wailing of people trying to find loved ones who are
trapped under buildings and rubble."
While the scope of the disaster remains unclear, it's obvious tens of thousands of
people have lost their homes and many have perished.
Buildings in Haiti - the poorest country in the western hemisphere - are flimsy and
dangerous even under normal conditions.
World Vision's Dominic McInerney described the situation as "chaotic".
"Haiti is a pretty poor and chaotic place at the best of times and that's been
magnified by the earthquake," he told AAP.
The aid agency has one Australian employee in Haiti - Melbourne-based Ruth Mlay.
She was north of Port-au-Prince when the quake struck but will travel to the
capital's outskirts on Wednesday local time.
"There is no certainty of the number of casualties at the moment," Ms Mlay told Mr
McInerney via Skype.
"The quake happened late in the evening and it got dark pretty fast.
"There is no phone communication in the country at the moment."
Some 5,000 children sponsored by Australians through World Vision are alive and
well. They're on another island off the coast of Port-au-Prince.
Plan Australia's disaster manager Rohan Kent says the situation in Haiti is
dangerous for everyone.
"The search and rescue period is what's happening now," he told AAP.
"In the middle of the night I dare say it's quite dangerous given Haiti's background."
There are already reports of looting.
Mr Kent said over the next few days Plan would conduct an assessment of what relief
was needed.
"Based on experience, the immediate needs of food, water and shelter will be
paramount," he said.
Oxfam Australia says it's difficult to get relief into Haiti quickly as the airport
is closed.
The Australian government will respond to requests for assistance from the Haitian
authorities "and ensure it is coordinated with regional and international efforts",
DFAT said.
People concerned about family and friends in Haiti are being urged to try and
contact them directly.
If that fails an emergency number is available on (02) 6261 3305.
