Plan director in Haiti offers firsthand account of situation

Plan director in Haiti offers firsthand account of situation

15 January 2010

Plan director in Haiti offers firsthand account of situation

 

The Plan International Regional team is setting up a dedicated Haiti media phone line today. However, roads are destroyed (the 6 hour journey from the Dominican Republic will probably now take 10-15 hours) and it is possible that Plan Ireland will not make contact with the team until 10pm (Irish time) tonight.

 

Plan Ireland is renewing its appeal for funds to help protect children and provide the help and support that they will need. Anyone wishing to make a donation or find out more about Plan’s work can visit www.plan.ie or freephone 1800 829 829.

 

Rezene Tesfamariam is the COUNTRY DIRECTOR of Plan Haiti. Rezene has been working in disaster zones for over fifteen years. He has seen many shocking humanitarian situations but never anything of this scale and magnitude.

 

This is Rezene’s firsthand account of the disaster…

“The damage of the quake of Tuesday is beyond one’s imagination. Although it is very difficult to determine the exact figure I have seen bodies all along the main street of Port-Au-Prince.  I have heard the voice of children trapped in the rubble of their schools.

“A major part of the city Port-Au-Prince has been destroyed. Schools, churches, hospitals, market places are destroyed.  Our offices in Jacmel, Croix de Bouquets and a part of the country office in Port-Au-Prince are seriously damaged. This is also true for the houses of some of our staff and the residence of our internationals. All communication systems including internet connections were down until today.

“The quake has left thousands of families without home and the city has turned into a collection of makeshift camps. In my professional life I have worked with refugees running for their lives, provided support to communities swept away by flood, but not like this. The situation requires quick and well-organized response.”

He concludes: “Difficulties with communication and a lack of clear and consistent information about the situation in Haiti continue to represent major problems for all organizations involved in the relief effort. Some staff members have sustained injuries and psychological trauma, others have lost their property. With this exception all are doing well. Thank you very much indeed for your concern and support.”

 

Donations may be made to the appeal via freephone 1800 829 829 or www.plan.ie.