Taxpayers' money will help Haiti
Irish taxpayers have pledged almost four million euro to aid agencies working in earthquake-ravaged Haiti
Sunday March 14 2010
Irish taxpayers have to date pledged almost four million euro to aid agencies working on the ground in earthquake-ravaged Haiti.
The latest donation of more than 800,000 euro will be provided to Plan Ireland, Christian Aid and UN agencies which are focusing on education and child protection, shelter, agriculture and environmental support.
Some 130 tonnes relief supplies have already been distributed by agencies though the Department of Foreign Affairs' Irish Aid programme.
Six members of Ireland's Rapid Response Corps also remain on the ground supporting the emergency response since the earthquake destroyed Port-au-Prince on January 12.
Peter Power, Minister of State for Overseas Development, said the needs of people of Haiti remain immense two months after the tremor.
"Children in particular remain extremely vulnerable," he said.
"Irish Aid funding of 250,000 euro will help Plan Ireland to operate six temporary schools.
"These schools will also provide protective spaces and psychological support to help children recover from the extreme trauma which they have experienced."
The Haitian Government estimates 1.9 million people have lost their homes.
