NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–13 January 2010 – UNICEF is rushing life-saving supplies into the hardest-hit communities in Haiti.
UNICEF’s response, coordinated with other UN agencies and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent is aimed at the children and women, who are the most vulnerable in times of crisis. Children under 18 make up nearly 50 per cent of the 10 million population of Haiti.
In the town of Jacmel this evening 2,500 kitchen kits and 5,000 1 litre bags of water will be distributed to enable the local population to prepare the food supplies by the World Food Programme.
A cargo plane will land this evening containing $500,000 of supplies to assist 10,000 people, including oral rehydration salts to combat deadly diarrhea episodes, water purifications tablets, tarpaulins and tents to provide temporary housing.
Another chartered cargo plane is expected to land tomorrow with more tarpaulins, blankets, emergency health kits, jerry cans and some other supplies.
UNICEF has released a total of $3.4 million toward the relief efforts from several emergency sources. The agency says that more funding, basic medical and health supplies, family kits/shelter and water hygiene and sanitation supplies are urgently needed.
Source: unicef.org
