Oxfam teams in Haiti initiating aid delivery

Oxfam Ireland Press Release
15 January 2010

• Haitian Government planning to set up 14 camps for quake survivors
• Water most immediate problem
• Oxfam warns that picture from rural epicentre yet to emerge
• Oxfam staff available for interview in quake zone

Oxfam staff in Haiti are providing shovels and picks for local civil workers to clear rubble to search for trapped victims in the capital, Port-au-Prince, following Tuesday’s massive earthquake in Haiti.

Oxfam is today sending up to 10 tonnes of water, sanitation, health and shelter equipment to Haiti. Oxfam plans to scale-up aid delivery are now being finalised. The destruction continues to severely hamper aid efforts. Seventeen Oxfam International humanitarian experts flew into the Dominican Republic and will arrive in Haiti today.

Oxfam has had brief and erratic communications with members of the team in Haiti. Many have themselves had their houses destroyed and are now having to sleep in the street. Some have lost family members. One Oxfam staff was killed in the quake. Essential communications with the team are marginally improving. Oxfam has more communication equipment arriving today. The horrific picture of need, and the vast obstacles to getting aid to people in need, is emerging.

While international efforts are focused on establishing a foothold in the wrecked capital from which to disperse aid, Oxfam warns that the actual epicentre of the quake was in the countryside. There is no access to rural areas, so no picture yet of the disaster there and scale of people’s needs.

The Oxfam team in Port-Au-Prince is working on assessments now. This is the essential first step in emergency aid delivery. Oxfam has linked with the UN and other aid agencies on the ground. The UN, many of whose own offices were levelled, has regrouped its headquarters near Port-au-Prince’s stricken airport.

“This is a nightmare for survivors and aid workers alike. The airport is near ruined, communications fractured and people are traumatized and in great need. We are now beginning to get aid through despite the challenges,” said Oxfam’s international director Penny Lawrence.

Oxfam understands the Haitian government is planning to set up 14 camps around the capital to give people somewhere to sleep. In this situation camps could offer the best temporary solution to get food and water and sanitation to people in need. Access for survivors to clean water is probably the most immediate problem to resolve now.  

Oxfam's Global ambassadors have also joined in the relief effort. Actress Scarlett Johansson wants your assistance in this time of need.  “My heart goes out to the millions of people affected by the tragic events that have afflicted Haiti. As an ambassador of Oxfam, I urge those who are able to donate to the organization which currently has over 200 people on the ground and a team of 15 highly-experienced emergency specialists based in the capital that are responding with public health, water and sanitation services to prevent the spread of water borne disease.”

Oxfam affiliates around the world are appealing for funds  including Oxfam Ireland.  People can donate to Oxfam Ireland's appeal by calling 1850 30 40 55 (ROI) and in NI on 0800 0 30 40 55, online at www.oxfamireland.org/donate and at their local Oxfam Ireland shops, 48 shops around the country 

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Oxfam Ireland is an independent member of Oxfam International- a group of thirteen non-governmental agencies dedicated to fighting poverty and related injustice around the world.

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