Irish Red Cross deploys experts to Haiti

Joe Lowry, an Irishman, will be on the ground in Haiti tomorrow and will act as Communications Manager for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), ensuring that there is a constant flow of accurate information from towns and villages affected by the earthquake.

Irish Red Cross delegate Will Rogers is also being deployed to Haiti and will arrive in Port-au-Prince tomorrow to manage beneficiary communications in the wake of the disaster. Will has previously worked in Indonesia coordinating the Irish Red Cross response to the tsunami, and was deployed to the Padang earthquake in Indonesia in October 2009.

Noel Wardick, Head of the International Department, Irish Red Cross explains, "Dispatching our key experts to Haiti is the next step for us in ensuring that the people of Haiti have the support that they need to cope with this disaster. Their priority will be to engage with communities, keep them informed of aid deliveries, and ensure local support for Red Cross efforts.”

A week after the disaster, there are no official figures on the numbers of dead and affected, but there are estimates that well over 100,000 people have perished and some 3 million are in need of immediate assistance.

Yesterday, the Irish Red Cross sent a further €200,000 in emergency aid to the people of Haiti, with donations being used immediately to provide vital aid and assistance, however it is clear that further assistance is needed.

Mr. Wardick says, "We are calling on every citizen in Ireland to give what they can and make a donation to the Irish Red Cross Haiti Appeal. These funds will help the millions of men, women and children who have lost their families, homes and livelihoods in the earthquake.”

Donations are being accepted online or by calling 1850 50 70 70.

Background

• The earthquake struck on Tuesday (12 Jan) at 12:00 local time, measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale shook the capital of Port-au-Prince and other areas of the country, with Haiti’s West Province (pop. 2.2m) most affected.

Notes to Editor

1. Irish Red Cross delegates Joe Lowry (Irish) and Will Rogers (Australian) are currently travelling to Haiti to provide assistance and will be operational and available for interview from Thursday (21 Jan) onwards.
2. The Irish Red Cross can provide spokesperson/s on the Haitian earthquake

Noel Wardick, Head of the International Department, Irish Red Cross. (Based in Ireland)

Paul Conneally, (Irish) Head of External Communications, IFRC currently based in Haiti and is available for interview. Tel: 0041 79 308 9809. Satellite phone: 00 88 165 14 12 511.

Declan O’Sullivan, Acting Secretary General, Irish Red Cross. (Based in Ireland)

How you can help

Donations are being accepted online or by calling 1850 50 70 70.

Cheque and postal orders should be marked for the relevant appeal and made payable to:
Irish Red Cross,
16 Merrion Square,
Dublin 2.

For media enquiries please contact Ms. Pia Ward on 087 – 7433 275 or alternatively Mr. David Curtin on 086- 283 2123 to arrange an interview.