A devastating earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck Haiti on 12 January 2010, killing more than 200,000 people and leaving around 1.5 million homeless. The situation in the capital Port-au-Prince and other nearby areas is dire, with hundreds of thousands of people in urgent need of assistance.
In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, local Red Cross staff and volunteers were on the scene and continue to assist the injured and support hospitals struggling to cope.
Drawing on resources around the world the Red Cross is carrying out a huge emergency response operation. Pre-positioned relief goods were released immediately within Haiti and from other warehouses in the region. These consist of kitchen kits, shelter kits, personal hygiene kits, blankets and containers for storing drinking water.
As well as distributing vital supplies the Red Cross is providing medical aid and water for survivors.
Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and the quake has had a massive impact on a population already reeling from other recent disasters. Thousands of buildings have collapsed and aftershocks continue. The affected population are now living on the streets and in makeshift camps in open public spaces. Funds are urgently needed to provide food, water and healthcare.
Please donate to the British Red Cross today to help thousands of people in desperate need of humanitarian assistance.
In the event that we raise more money than can be reasonably and efficiently spent, any surplus funds will be used to help us prepare for and respond to other humanitarian disasters either overseas or here in the UK.