UNICEF is urgently appealing for emergency assistance to aid the victims of a devastating earthquake that rocked the Caribbean nation of Haiti on 12 January. The quake registered 7.0 on the Richter scale and was centred about 14 miles west of the capital city, Port-au-Prince.

Thousands of children have been killed or injured. Those who survived the disaster are now in temporary shelters, hospitals or on the streets. They have little access to food or water and are at increased risk of violence and abuse.

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and has a population of around 10 million inhabitants, more than half of whom are under 18 years old. UNICEF has been working in Haiti since 1949 and works directly with Haiti's government on developing long-term solutions to problems caused by poverty and lack of basic health care, education and sanitation services. 

The country has been suffering from long-term political strife and a severely depressed economy. In recent years the effects of the global food crisis and particularly strong hurricane seasons have left the country dangerously vulnerable. This catastrophe will only exacerbate the already critical situation for the people of Haiti, especially women and children.

UNICEF’s response

Aid is getting through. Fifteen planeloads of UNICEF supplies have already landed in Port au Prince and Santa Domingo, with more on the way.

In coordination with other UN agencies, UNICEF has deployed an emergency team from New York, Panama and neighbouring country Dominican Republic to assess the damage on the ground and provide vital humanitarian assistance where it is most needed.

Life-saving supplies are being rushed into the hardest-hit communities in Haiti. So far these include oral rehydration salts to combat deadly diarrhoea episodes; water purifications tablets; medical kits; and tarpaulins and tents to provide temporary housing for thousands of affected children and families.

UNICEF globally has raised £80 million to carry out its immediate emergency operations in Haiti. This includes ensuring children and families have access to desperately needed clean water, providing therapeutic food for infants, reuniting unaccompanied children with their families and getting children back to school.

However, more funds are urgently needed to support UNICEF’s ongoing recovery programmes throughout 2010 and into the future.

Please show your support and donate now to help children affected by the Haiti earthquake. You can also fundraise for emergencies.

Find out more

• Read the latest news from Haiti
• Photo gallery: UNICEF's response to the disaster
  
• Video: Ewan McGregor's appeal for the children of Haiti
• UNICEF's Tamar Hahn blogs from Haiti
  
• Download an Emergency alert (pdf)