Islamic relief organizations rushed to send immediate aid to quake-hit Haiti, as rescue efforts continued amid expectations that the death toll would reach 100,000. "The earthquake is really devastating and especially unbearable for a country that has suffered so much deprivation," Hamid Azad, acting CEO of Muslim Aid, said in a statement on the group's website.
"It is clear that the Haitian people will need a prompt emergency response from the international community to address their basic needs." The Muslim group has launched an emergency appeal to raise £250,000 to support the victims. "We would like to send our deepest sympathy to the people of Haiti and urge our donors to come forward with generous donations to support the victims."
Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, was rocked by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake on Tuesday, the worst in around 200 years. Homes, schools, hospitals, even the National Palace where the president resides, were all destroyed. An estimated 3 million people were affected and an untold number of people are still trapped under rubble, with many desperate voices being heard crying for help.
Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive said the death toll could reach "well over 100,000," adding that the destruction was beyond imagination. There were no signs of organized operations to rescue those trapped or remove bodies. Residents tried to rescue people trapped under rubble, clawing at chunks of concrete with bare hands. Haiti one of the most densely populated and least developed countries with nearly 80 percent of its 9 million people living in poverty.
Scrambling
In an immediate response to the catastrophe, Islamic Relief USA launched a $1 million appeal to help the victims. "Victims are in desperate need for food, water, shelter and medicine, especially since Haiti's infrastructure is already very modest and has now been brought to its knees by the quake," the group said on its website.
Islamic Relief USA added that it was working with partners to ship urgently-needed aid to relieve the suffering. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it was gearing up to help. The Red Cross launched a 10-million-dollar appeal for donations and the World Food Programme said it could quickly provide 15,000 tones of food.
The World Bank promised $100 million in emergency funds for recovery and reconstruction. US President Barrack Obama has promised an all-out rescue and humanitarian effort to help Haiti. Canada readied two warships, helicopters and planes with supplies as well as a large relief and rescue force. Brazil said it was sending 10 million dollars in immediate aid while Cuba sent 30 doctors to add to its medical staff already in Haiti.
Peru, Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, Guatamala and Chile have also promised to extend a helping hand. The European Commission released three million euros in emergency assistance, while Britain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain all volunteered help. The World Health Organization deployed specialists to help handled mass casualties and corpses. ISLAM-ONLINE |
