Haiti appeal soars past £300k

Published on Monday 1 March 2010 08:41

THE amount raised by Edinburgh residents to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake has soared to more than £300,000.

The Evening News-backed appeal, launched by city charity Mercy Corps and the city council in the wake of the disaster, has prompted an incredible response from local residents.

Charity bosses said the generosity had allowed them to help start the rebuilding process on the devastated island.

The massive earthquake which struck the country on 12 January killed more than 200,000 people and left more than a million homeless.

The situation for locals was made even more desperate by the already impoverished state of most residents, while aid efforts were hampered by a series of strong aftershocks.

Since the disaster struck, Mercy Corps has had staff on the ground helping to provide vital supplies of food and clean water.

The charity said the money raised in Edinburgh had been vital to funding the immediate relief and was now helping to regenerate the local economy, rebuild houses and fund counselling for children.

John Cunningham, director of fundraising at Mercy Corps, said: "Since last month's earthquake, the world has focused on Haiti as never before.

"The response we've had from the people of Edinburgh has been terrific.

"There are still a number of fundraising events coming up that we hope will generate even more cash for the people of Haiti.

"Mercy Corps is committed to helping Haitian families and communities not only emerge from the rubble and rebuild their homes, but also rebuild their country.

"The money raised by this appeal is helping us give earthquake survivors the help they need, from food and clean water to post-trauma counselling for children and job training for their parents."

One of the areas Mercy Corps' response has focused on is kick-starting the local economy in the wake of the disaster by paying local people to carry out clean-up work.

"The Haitian economy was already in a very poor state even before last month's earthquake," said Mr Cunningham.

"More than half the population lived on less than a dollar a day and the unemployment rate was at 60 per cent.

"That's why we've made job training central to our long-term economic recovery programme. We will help Haitian communities build a skilled workforce that can lift families out of poverty.

"We are working on the ground right now, paying people a daily wage to clear rubble and repair basic infrastructure. The money raised by this appeal is equipping these people with the tools they need to get the job done, as well as helping to pay their salaries.

"The funds raised by the appeal will help us chart a new course for the country by supporting the aspirations of the Haitian people."