Haiti Disaster Echoes 'How Earth Made Us'

The man behind a major TV natural history series following the impact of earthquakes and volcanoes on human development is in Belfast today.

Professor Iain Stewart - who tells the epic story of how the planet's power has shaped history - is speaking today at W5 in Belfast's Odyssey.

The new BBC Science series, How Earth Made Us, begins this evening on BBC 2 at 9pm and is especially important as rescuers struggle to deal with the aftermath of the devastating Haiti earthquake.

It is a graphic illustration of the power of nature as up to 200,000 people are feared dead in the Caribbean country.

Irish aid worker, Dominic MacSorley who is leading the relief efforts for Irish Aid agency, Concern said it was a huge task.

"When you're driving past and seeing bodies on the road and people crying, it's like a war zone," he said, and said it is the biggest disaster in the nation's history.

The tragedy forms a frightening backdrop to Professor Iain Stewart's programme and introductory talk, which while it features spectacular images, surprising stories and a compelling narrative, there can be no starker illustration of the power of planetary forces than the Haiti disaster.

Meanwhile, the power of the NI public was being illustrated with the success of a local Haiti disaster fund, courtesy of a the Dean of Belfast, Dr Houston McKelvey.

He announced that a special 'Barrel for Haiti' for the survivors of the disaster was being made available for those who would wish to assist the recovery of the victims after the massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean nation last Tuesday.

The barrel is just inside the front door of the cathedral and the Cathedral Stewards and staff will welcome visitors.

Dean McKelvey said the initiative is in response to members of the public who contacted him stating that they would wish to give their support through the Cathedral.

He said today that around £50,000 had already been raised for Christian Aid's Haiti efforts, twice his original target.

See: BBC Picks Unit For 'How Earth Made Us'

(BMcC/GK)