People react as a woman collapses on a street after a major earthquake struck, in Port-au-Prince on January 12, 2010. Credit: Reuters/Reuters TV
Oxfam focus: public health, water and sanitation

Large earthquake in Haiti

“There is a blanket of dust rising from the valley south of the capital. We can hear people calling for help from every corner.”
Kristie van de Wetering
Former Oxfam employee based in Port-au-Prince
Published: 13 January 2010

Oxfam aware of situation following large earthquake in Haiti and poised to respond

Statement from Jane Cocking, humanitarian director of Oxfam on Haiti earthquake:

“At this stage it is too early to tell the severity of the earthquake in Haiti, but the early signs are not good with communications down across the country.

“Oxfam has its emergency response team for Latin America based in Haiti so we are well prepared, with a public health, water and sanitation team in Port-au-Prince ready to respond. We also have emergency supplies in Panama that we are preparing to send in as soon as possible.”

Listen to the audio report by Louis Belanger, Oxfam's humanitarian spokesperson:

Kristie van de Wetering, a former Oxfam employee still based in Port-au-Prince described the situation as “very chaotic with houses in rubbles everywhere. There is a blanket of dust rising from the valley south of the capital. We can hear people calling for help from every corner. The aftershocks are ongoing and making people very nervous.”

Cocking said: “We hope to know more in the coming hours. Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere where 85% of people already live in poverty, given the desperate needs that people face on a day to day basis, this earthquake is grim news for the poor people of Haiti.”

Donate

The people of Haiti need your support. Help now by donating to our Haiti Earthquake Response Fund:

Alternatively, you can also make a donation to the general emergency fund of your nearest national Oxfam affiliate. Your money will be used to fund our emergency work worldwide, which includes responding in countries such as Haiti.