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A boy lies injured in a makeshift hospital after the earthquake in Port-au-Prince - Source: Reuters -
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New Zealanders are proving to be a generous lot with nearly $2 million already pledged for the Haiti relief effort.
And the government has contributed another $1 million as the aftermath of the devastating earthquake takes it toll.
Images from the stricken country have compelled New Zealanders to open their hearts and their wallets and so far more than $1.8 million has been pledged.
Fourteen charities are collecting money in New Zealand and most is used to buy the supplies needed for the survivors.
Seth Le Leu from World Vision NZ says the money is collected locally and sent to the international co-ordination centre.
"They, together with our supply chain, are involved in the purchase of supplies and making sure that the aid is delivered on the ground," says Le Leu.
Steve Matthews is one of 800 World Vision workers in Haiti and he told ONE News most people are sleeping in the streets, parks and makeshift camps.
"We have got to make them more comfortable so that's where some of the initial money will go," says Matthews.
The United Nations is in charge, directing aid agencies to focus on a particular need, and World Vision is concentrating on the children left orphaned.
"We are discussing right now with Unicef the idea of what we call child friendly spaces or child protection camps to make sure that these kids are not somehow harmed," Matthews says.
Up to 20% of donations is spent on administration costs but the rest helping the people in desperate need.
New Zealand-funded aid has already reached a children's hospital the aid agency Save the Children said earlier in the week.
The Haiti Earthquake Emergency Appeal raised $100,000 which funded a six-metre container filled with hygiene kits and food and water enough for 2000 people, NZ communications advisor Nicole Were said.
It was filled in the Dominican Republic and sent overland to the Hospital de l'Espoir, or Hope Hospital, which serves 130 children.
