Haiti earthquake appeal
A devastating earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale hit
the impoverished Caribbean nation of Haiti on 12 January, leaving
hundreds of thousands dead and over 1.5 million affected.
Aid agencies are appealing for urgently needed funds for medical
supplies, food, temporary shelter and clean water to help those
affected.
Over £31.5 million has been raised so far by through donations
to the DEC appeal and these vital funds are already on their way to
bring help to the hundreds of thousand of Haitians made homeless by
the earthquake.
Haiti charity single reaches number one
CAF has teamed up with the Sun’s Helping Haiti appeal to
manage funds raised by The Sun’s readers and through the sale of
the Sun’s charity single for Haiti.
The cover of REM’s ‘Everybody Hurts’ is masterminded by Simon
Cowell and features an array of pop stars including Take That,
Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, Leona Lewis and James Blunt. The
single reached number one in the 14 February charts and has
reportedly sold over 450,000 copies.
Profits from the single will be split between the Disaster
Emergency Committee’s appeal and The Sun’s Helping Haiti Appeal,
which will enable both short term relief and longer term assistance
for Haiti.
Disasters Emergency
Committee
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) are an umbrella
organisation for 13 humanitarian aid agencies:
- ActionAid
- British Red Cross
- CAFOD
- Care International UK
- Christian Aid
- Concern Worldwide
- Help the Aged
- Islamic Relief
- Merlin
- Oxfam
- Save the Children
- Tearfund
- World Vision
At times of overseas emergency, the DEC brings together a unique
alliance of the UK's aid, corporate, public and broadcasting
sectors to rally the nation's compassion, and ensure that funds
raised go to DEC agencies best placed to deliver effective and
timely relief to people most in need.