The Aid Effort

HAITI COUNTRY PROFILE Half of Caribbean island of Hispaniola History of violence, instability and dictatorship Population of 10 million people Most live on less than $2 a day Democratic rule restored in 2006 Economy in ruins and unemployment is chronic UN peacekeepers deployed - foreign aid seen as vital Massive deforestation has left just 2% forest Storms and hurricanes in 2008 left almost 800 dead Country profile: Haiti World's Haiti aid effort

Following are some of the efforts by foreign governments and aid agencies to help:

UNITED STATES - The U.S. military is sending a ground assessment team and one of its P3 aircraft has been doing aerial reconnaissance, a Pentagon spokesman said. U.S. Navy ships at bases along the East Coast have been told to be prepared to leave for Haiti and the United States could also begin using C-130 aircraft to fly supplies to Haiti later on Wednesday.
UNITED NATIONS - is immediately releasing $10 million from its central emergency response fund, and mobilizing an emergency response team -- expected to be on the ground shortly -- to help coordinate aid efforts. U.N. aid officials expect to issue an international appeal for funds and other assistance in the next few days, once needs have been assessed.
U.N. World Food Program head Josette Sheeran says the agency is already flying in additional food that would provide more than 500,000 emergency meals. The children's agency UNICEF is dispatching two planes and a ship laden with tents, as well as food and other supplies designed for women and children.
EUROPEAN UNION - The EU's executive European Commission approved 3 million euros ($4.37 million) of fast-track funding for the international effort and could pledge more in coming days, a spokeswoman said. Countries including Belgium, Sweden and Luxembourg had offered assistance via an EU emergency assistance coordination mechanism, with offers ranging from a water purification unit to tents
FRANCE -has historic links with Haiti and some 1,400 nationals living there, is sending two planes with rescuers and humanitarian aid, one from the Caribbean island of Martinique with 25 rescuers on board, and a second one with 60 people from Marseille. France is sending two airplanes and a field hospital as well as rescue services
BRITAIN - The UK government said it was "deeply concerned" by the earthquake and has a team ready to fly to Haiti. A 61-strong team of British firefighters is preparing to head out to help rescue efforts. A four-person field assessment team is en route to Port-Au-Prince to determine priorities for urgent assistance and Britain also sending a search and rescue team of 64 people with dogs and heavy rescue equipment.
NETHERLANDS - The Foreign Ministry said it would send an urban search and rescue team to Haiti, consisting of 60 people as well as sniffer dogs, to help find people hidden under the rubble. It said the team is part of a coordinationed international rescue action led by the U.N. CANADA - The government announced it would initially make up to C$5 million ($4.8 million) to help provide emergency shelter, medical services, food, relief items, water and sanitation services. A 20-person reconnaissance team is going to see what aid is needed, and two rescue helicopters could be sent.
GERMANY - is sending 1 million euros ($1.5 million) in immediate aid, said Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle.
BENELUX Netherlands $2.9m (2m euros) and Belgium, Sweden and Luxembourg are offering water purification equipment, tents, medical help and search-and-rescue experts.

ITALY has prepared a military transport plane which will be used to carry in a field hospital and emergency medical team.
Spain has pledged $4.3m (3m euros) and says it has 150 tonnes of humanitarian aid ready for delivery. The country has offered the EU the use of its humanitarian base in Panama to ferry in help.

ICELAND - sent a search and rescue team of 37 specialists.

VENEZUELA said it would send a military plane with food, medicine and drinking water, as well as a team of 50 recue workers.

MEXICO  which has long experience of dealing with devastating earthquakes, is sending a team of doctors and search and rescue workers.

INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK - The Inter-American Development Bank said it would provide $200,000 in immediate aid. The World Bank planned to send a team to help assess damage and plan a recovery.
AID AGENCIES Many aid agencies are sending help. Efforts included: - Around 600 injured people are being treated at hospitals of Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), the aid group said on Wednesday.
Telecoms Sans Frontieres, a humanitarian group that helps set up communications during disasters, deployed an emergency team from Managua to provide vital support in emergency telecommunications. They are carrying satellite mobile and fixed telecommunications tools.

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Contacts in International Aid Organisations

ICRC
Florian Westphal - Spokesperson - Head of Media Relations
Anna Schaaf - Media contact person
Mr Jacob CHARLES - Media contact person
Mr Marcal Izard - Media relations officer for West Africa and Latin America

Website: http://www.icrc.org
Donation: http://www.icrc.org/donation