Haiti Earthquake Disaster

We have all seen the terrible devastation in Haiti caused by the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that struck Haiti on Tuesday. An estimated 50,000 people have lost their lives, bodies are lining the streets and people search for lost friends and relatives amongst the dead.

After a third night in the ruined city, looting has started from collapsed buildings and no evidence has been seen of local law enforcement, who were stretched even before the disaster struck. The UN's 9000 peacekeepers have had to deal with the collapse of their headquarters and the loss of 100 staff. It is thought that gunfire heard from unknown sources could be from people desperately trying to protect their families and any remaining possessions from thieves.

Aid workers have started to arrive to help the survivors of the Haiti earthquake, but not yet in sufficient numbers to do as much as they would like. Matt Marek, Haiti country representative of the American Red Cross, said: "There has been widespread looting of collapsed buildings since the earthquake hit. There is no other way to get provisions. Even if you have money, those resources are going to be exhausted in a few days."

Help should be arriving imminently though - American forces are arriving as well as international search and rescue teams and police and international peacekeepers have been deployed to secure the airport, port and other main buildings.

Because of the scale of the disaster, the DEC has taken over the deployment of funds from its 13 UK member charities. Donations can be made either directly to DEC on 0370 6060900 or to any of its members - Action Aid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, Care International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision.

In the US, ways to donate include texting "Haiti" to 90999 (donates $10 the the American Red Cross) or texting "Yele" to 501501 (donates $5 to Wyclef Jean's Yele Haiti foundation).

Due to the number of scam sites unashamedly trying to make money for themselves off this tragedy, it is wise to make a donation to a well known and reputable source such as Oxfam or The Red Cross.