UNICEF Emergency Supplies, Experts Arrive In Haiti

More UNICEF Life-Saving Emergency Supplies, Experts Arrive In Port-Au-Prince

Wellington, 17 January 2010. – Another plane loaded with UNICEF emergency relief supplies arrived in Port-au-Prince this morning, carrying urgently needed water and sanitation supplies. This is the second load of UNICEF water and sanitation materials to arrive in Haiti in the past 24 hours.

The shipment contained additional oral rehydration salts, water purification tablets and jerry cans. Two experts in water and sanitation were also on the flight.

Two more UNICEF planeloads, loaded with some 70 metric tons of tents, tarpaulin, and medicines, are currently awaiting clearance to fly to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

UNICEF NZ Executive Director, Dennis McKinlay, says that with life-saving supplies and equipment arriving, getting the supplies to those who need them is the key, and the absolute, number one, priority.

"Providing access to clean water and sanitation is essential in the immediate aftermath of the disaster, to avoid a second wave of deaths caused by diarrheal diseases such as cholera and dysentery. Children are particularly susceptible to diarrheal diseases.

"In this case, water saves lives. Water is a UNICEF priority and distribution has begun."

The city of Port au Prince has been divided into 17 zones with different humanitarian groups assigned to each zone. At least one water tank has been erected within each zone and with the assistance of the private sector 250,000 liters of water was distributed in the past 24 hours.

UNICEF has also provided 2,500 kitchen kits and 5,000 1-litre bags of water from pre-positioned stocks. They have been distributed in Jacmel in coordination with WFP to ensure a full package of food and means of preparation.

UNICEF emergency efforts also include the provision of therapeutic food for infants and small children, medical supplies and temporary shelter and protection.

"Children make up some 50 per cent of the Haitian population and are the humanitarian priority. They are smaller, weaker, and most vulnerable.”

Mr McKinlay says that providing for children who are lost or have become separated from their families must also be a priority.

"In the middle of the kind of upheaval they are living -- it is crucial they be reunited with their families, or with someone they already know. Children need to be found, fed and kept safe.

"UNICEF and partner agencies will co-ordinate with the Government to register children, trace and verify families and find appropriate foster care or alternative solutions where needed."

People can donate to UNICEF NZ's Haiti Emergency Appeal on 0800-800-194 or online at www.unicef.org.nz

ENDS

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