Need For Aid Is Immediate And Great (NAPSA)—In the aftermath of Haiti’s devastating earthquake, Americans are rising to the challenge of providing assistance. After the earthquake, CARE launched a global appeal for $10 million to help the survivors. Aid groups estimate that 3 million people—nearly a third of Haiti’s population—needhelp. The organization is now delivering emergencyrelief to the area. It has shipped water purification sachets from nearby Panama to Port-au-Prince and deployed additional emergencyrelief staff to the capital, including personnel who were part of the response to devastating Hurricane Hanna in 2008. CAREplanned aninitial 10-ton distribution of high-protein biscuits from warehouses in Haiti, enough for 60,000 emergency meals. The organization is also working together with the World Food Programme, whichairlifted 86 metric tons of additional biscuits—enough for half a million emergency meals—from its satellite logistics hub in El Salvador. “This is Haiti’s darkest day,” said Joseph Francoeur, CARE’s project manager in the Haitian city of Gonaives. “This was a hard blow for Haiti and our colleagues. In addition to the emergency, we also need to think about giving people psychosocial help and assist them to rebuild their homes and theirlives.” CUBA > Windward he de ta Tortue Port-de-Paii Caribbean Sea North Atlantic Ocean = REPUBLIC. Saisie esee e—— re) 60 mi During Haiti’s darkest hour, Americans are donating money to help those in need of emergencyhelp. According to Francoeur, the immediate needsincludefirst-aid supplies, water purification solutions and emergencyfood. The organization began working in Haiti in 1954 to provide relief assistance after Hurricane Hazel. Today’s work includes projects in HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, maternal and child health, education, food security and water and sanitation. While providing food and water is an immediate concern, providing shelter will also becomea priority, as many of the country’s inhabitants are afraid to sleep inside because they worry about earthquake aftershocks. For more information or to donate, visit www.care.org or call (800) 521-CARE.
