Emergency Supplies for Haiti Increases

The Government has today announced it is releasing an extra 40 tonnes of emergency supplies for Haiti to help combat the threat of disease following the devastating earthquake.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin today said the additional aid followed the airlift of 80 tonnes of Irish Government supplies last week and in addition to the expertise provided by the fundraising efforts of people throughout the country.

Haiti's magnitude-7 earthquake killed an estimated 200,000 people while destroying the presidential palace, parliament, government ministries and the UN headquarters, among thousands of other structures, leaving the already destitute country politically crippled.

Tody Mr Martin said: "Since the quake two weeks ago the Irish Government has airlifted items to provide shelter and water for victims of the quake as well as the provision of mosquito nets to prevent the spread of disease.

"It is clear that Haiti will need long term assistance to recover from the unimaginable devastation caused by this disaster and at EU level I am continuing to work to ensure that Europe plays its part, not just in these immediate weeks but into the future."

Minister Martin added: "I want again to pay tribute to people throughout the country who have been clearly moved by the horrific images from Haiti and are continuing to fundraise and support the efforts of our aid agencies."

Today aid agencies said they were still dealing with a disaster on a scale they have never seen before.

The UN says 200,000 tents are needed before the spring rainy season arrives, and it is estimated that 800,000 need shelter.

An international task force hopes to repair the main seaport in Haiti's quake-stricken capital enough to handle 700 shipping containers a day by mid-February.

(DW/GK)