Posted by : Lizzie on 20/01/2010 at 15:36

As a magnitude 6 aftershock puts yet more Haitian lives in danger, Caroline Saunders, Director of Jubilee Action, a British charity that has been working on the ground in Haiti since 2008, said:

“We welcome the fact that US troops and military equipment are now helping the aid effort in Haiti. America has both the geographical proximity and resources to lead this relief effort and at this critical time the humanitarian need of the Haitians must be the priority. We understand that by using US helicopters aid is finally beginning to reach the devastated areas of Port au Prince, where thousands have been without access to food and water for over a week. It is essential that at this time the international community uses whatever resources it has available to help the survivors, who without immediate assistance, face dehydration, malnutrition and death.

“Working on the ground in Haiti we know how impoverished the people are and how severely this earthquake will affect them. With thousands of people now heading out of Port au Prince to the north of the country in search of medical assistance and shelter, we are currently recruiting medical personnel who are keen to go and help deliver life-saving healthcare to the men, women and children whose lives have been destroyed by this disaster.”