Empowering Haiti's earthquake survivors: On the ground report from Irish Red Cross Delegate Joe Lowry

Mobile phones are now among the principles means of communication, after the nationwide communications network in Haiti was quickly repaired following the earthquake on 12 January.

As relief operations intensify the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) intends to use this resource to get information to, and crucially from, the hundreds of thousands of earthquake survivors.

"We're part of a group called Communicating with Disaster Affected Communities, or CDAC and are working with Thomson Reuters, the Irish and British Red Cross, and Save the Children on an SMS gateway which will let us gather information and respond faster than ever before." Explained Will Rogers, beneficiary communications specialist for the Irish Red Cross in Port-au-Prince.

So far the system has sent out several mass mails giving general information and already received more than 14,000 responses.

"We're seeing all sorts of messages, ranging from people who need urgent help to people looking for family members. So we are already getting a picture of where needs are which will greatly assist the ongoing assessments," says Will.

Will Rogers and the Red Cross in Haiti are also working on more traditional methods of beneficiary communication, such as radio spots, newspaper advertising, community meetings and megaphones.

To date donations to the Irish Red Cross Haiti Appeal have reached €1.2 million however funds are still urgently needed. To donate please log onto www.redcross.ie or call 1850 50 70 70.

Joe Lowry and Will Rogers are both available for interview. Please contact Pia Ward at 087 - 7433 275.

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.
• A powerful 6.1 aftershock was felt throughout Port-au-Prince on Wednesday 20 January, with the epicentre near the town of Jacmel. Though this new tremor caused much fear, some injuries and some damaged structures to collapse altogether, there were no reports of deaths or other serious situations. It is thought that aftershocks will still continue to be felt for some time.

Notes to Editor

1. Irish Red Cross delegates Joe Lowry (Irish) and Will Rogers (Australian) are currently in Haiti and available for interview.
2. The Irish Red Cross spokespersons:

• In Haiti

Joe Lowry, (Irish) External Communications, IFRC.
Will Rogers, (Australian) Irish Red Cross Beneficiary Communications Delegate.

• In Ireland

Noel Wardick, Head of the International Department, Irish Red Cross.
Declan O'Sullivan, Acting Secretary General, Irish Red Cross.
Tony Lawlor ,Acting Chairman, Irish Red Cross.

• In Geneva

Paul Conneally (Irish) Head of External Communications, IFRC. Tel 0041 79 308 9809 Paul has just arrived back in Geneva after spending over a week on the ground in Haiti.

How you can help

Donations are being accepted online at www.redcross.ie 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.

Ends