Haiti Relief On Way

As a second flight left Dublin Airport on Friday afternoon, loaded with aid supplies for survivors of last week's earthquake in Haiti, runners (and walkers) are also to target the disaster fund with an event in Ormeau Park in south Belfast to raise money.

The event, a five-kilometre fun run will be taking place on Sunday 31st January, starting from Ormeau Park at 11am.

Organised in conjunction with 'Befast 4 Haiti', all proceeds will be donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).

One of the poorest countries in the western hemisphere, Haiti suffered a massive earthquake, followed by several less powerful aftershocks in the last week.

With over 72,000 reported dead, the lack of infrastructure and total devastation has led to a desperate need for international help.

'Belfast 4 Haiti' was set up in the aftermath of the earthquakes by local musicians wishing to help in any way they could.

As a result, they have organised a day of gigs in Belfast's Limelight, Katy Daly's and Spring and Airbrake featuring over 50 bands. Again, all proceeds are going directly to the DEC.

Dublin's efforts on Friday saw Aer Lingus and charity GOAL organising the transport of 25 tonnes of medical and food supplies.

The Aer Lingus plane was loaded with the supplies at Dublin Airport while some 15 doctors and volunteers were also on the plane, which was not flying direct to Port-au-Prince, because of safety concerns following aftershocks earlier this week.

It flew instead to La Romana Airport in the Dominican Republic, Haiti's neighbour on the island of Hispaniola.

Aer Lingus is covering the cost of the fuel and the crew are volunteering their services, while charges for using Dublin Airport are being waived.

Efforts to rebuild Haiti's main port are also being stepped up in an effort to ensure emergency supplies reach the millions still needing aid.

With the focus in Haiti shifting from rescue to recovery, a huge operation was launched yesterday to move thousands of homeless survivors out of Port-au-Prince.

500,000 people have reportedly been left destitute by the 7.0-magnitude quake which struck on 12 January.

The Haitian government will hire about 34 buses to take quake victims to the south and north of the Caribbean nation to hastily set up villages designed to hold 10,000 people each, and work with local mayors to identify sites.

See: Belfast4Haiti

(BMcC/GK)