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Source: Reuters -
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Aid agencies in New Zealand are rallying in response to the 7.0 magnitude earthquake which wreaked untold devastation in Haiti Wednesday.
It was centred inland, just 16km from the capital Port-au-Prince with the death toll feared to be in the thousands.
Some agencies have put out requests for emergency aid while others are busy trying to reach their staff in the city to confirm they are safe.
Both Unicef and Save the Children said their own offices had been among those buildings damaged.
A Save the Children spokesperson told NZPA phone lines had gone down shortly after the quake and they had communications experts en route from the United States.
Unicef New Zealand said any working phones were currently being used to coordinate the emergency response.
"We have very little information at the moment, but early reports are that the population has sustained significant damage, including damage to our own office. We expect to have more information tomorrow," executive director Dennis McKinlay said.
"In the meantime, Unicef is working both locally and internationally to respond to the humanitarian needs that may arise from the earthquake, such as lack of clean water and sanitation, and the spread of diseases."
World Vision and Oxfam said they had launched emergency response teams which were working to assess the levels of damage.
Frank Williams, national director for World Vision Haiti, said the quake left people "pretty much screaming" all around Port-au-Prince.
His office building shook for about 35 seconds, "and portions of things on the building fell off".
"None of our staff are injured, but lots of walls are falling down.
"Many have tried to leave, but were unsuccessful because the walls from other buildings are falling into the streets, so that has pretty much blocked most of the traffic."
He said following the quakes people were wandering around outside, "and just kind of looking up". Aftershocks caused residents to "wail" with fear.
Former Oxfam employee Kristie van de Wetering, still based in Port-au-Prince, said houses were in rubble everywhere.
"There is a blanket of dust rising from the valley south of the capital. We can hear people calling for help from every corner."
Oxfam humanitarian director Jane Cocking said they had been well prepared with a public health, water and sanitation team ready in the city, and were preparing to send extra emergency supplies from Panama.
Tear Fund said about 680 New Zealanders sponsored children in Haiti through the charity, but they would be working to help all people affected and were calling for people to contribute to the rescue effort.
"Although Haiti is a long way from New Zealand I encourage New
Zealanders to stand by Haiti because the people desperately need
our help," staff member Sonia Maugham, who recently returned the
country, said.
Click
here for details on how you can make a donation towards relief
efforts in Haiti.
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