Relief Aid Airlifted to Haiti
A WestJet flight carrying $200,000 worth of medical supplies donated to World Vision arrived in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince yesterday.
World Vision staff in Haiti immediately distributed the shipment, which included things like gloves, bandages, tubing, gowns and soap, to help treat the thousands injured in the January 12 earthquake. Since the disaster, World Vision has been providing supplies to 11 hospitals and medical centres in Port-au-Prince.
“The earthquake in Haiti has shown the incredible capacity of Canadians to do everything they can when children and families are suffering,” says Michael Messenger, vice-president of Public Affairs at World Vision. “WestJet’s donation of this flight is a wonderful example of partnership and giving.” The Greater Toronto Airport Authority waived its terminal fees for the flight. Swissport, which handled the loading of the aircraft, also deferred its costs.
Since Sunday, three other airlifts of World Vision supplies have been shipped from Canadian Forces Base Trenton including mosquito nets, blankets and tarpaulins.
A Top Priority: Child Safety
The recent earthquake in Haiti affects one in three Haitians. World Vision Canada urges the international community to remember an often-forgotten statistic: almost 40 per cent of the Haitian population is under the age of 14. Many of those affected by Tuesday’s earthquake are children.
Toycen has been in Port-au-Prince witnessing this distressing statistic first hand. “There are so many children right now, by themselves, just roaming the streets in shock.”
“I wish I could find their parents. These children should not be alone.”
Many children have been separated from their parents and loved ones by this earthquake and, in conditions without health care, water or food, are exceptionally vulnerable. It may take weeks for children separated by a natural disaster to be reunited with their families. In the meantime, children are already dealing with injuries, infection and psychological stress.
Child Friendly Spaces
World Vision is preparing to establish “child-friendly spaces” in the quake zone. Child-friendly spaces are structured and safe areas set up specifically for children and youth in crisis situations, where they can play and receive support services.
“World Vision is calling on the Haitian authorities, the United Nations and the international community participating in search and rescue efforts to make reuniting children and families a priority in their efforts,” says Dave Toycen, president of World Vision Canada.
Our History in Haiti
World Vision has been working in Haiti for 30 years and currently has 800 staff on the ground. World Vision donors support more than 52,000 children in Haiti, including more than 10,800 children sponsored by Canadians.
Please give generously to earthquake-affected families in Haiti.
