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• Plan International Australia launches Haiti Earthquake Appeal

• Latest update/overview of the situation in Haiti and Plan International’s response

• Interview opportunities with Plan International staff in Haiti affected areas and the region

• Interview opportunities with Plan International Australia disaster staff in Melbourne

Haiti Earthquake Appeal launched

Plan International Australia has launched a Haiti Earthquake Appeal to raise funds for Plan International’s aid and rebuilding efforts in Haiti. The cost of Plan's immediate response is expected to exceed $1 million.

We are hoping to raise at least $100,000 in Australia to support this urgent response and ensure the safety of children in this time of crisis.

Australians can donate to the appeal online or by calling 13 75 26.

Haiti situation update and Plan International response overview

• Estimates of 3-5 million people directly affected and up to 100,000 killed are being reported.

• The UN is reporting that the areas that most affected are the South West and Central provinces, which have a population of more than 2 million people.

• According to reports the most affected cities are Port-au-Prince, Carrefour and Jacmel.

• Immediate priorities include: child protection, medical services and supplies; provision of clean water and sanitation; and emergency shelter.

• The airport in Port-au-Prince is in operation for humanitarian flights only.

• Plan has ongoing programs in Haiti that focus on: Health care, basic nutrition, education, household economic security and youth and community leadership.

• There are currently 1191 children who have an Australian sponsor. The safety of these children is at this stage unclear.

Plan’s Programmatic Approach

• Plan International has been operation in Haiti since 1973 (36 years)

• Plan International has 10 program units in Haiti located in the Central Province (Beudet, Croix-des-Bouquets, Dolney and Frères), in the South-West (Cayes-Jacmel, Jacmel, La Vallée) and in the North-East (Fort-Liberté, Ouanaminthe and Trou-du-Nord). According to Plan Haiti Country Director Rezene Tesfamarian, Cayes-Jacmel and Croix-des-Bouquets are extremely affected. Jacmel has had severe damage, as has Port-au-Prince and Croix-des-Bouquets.

• Plan has all of our 143 staff working on projects that support more than 42,000 children and their communities in Haiti (all staff are reported safe at this stage)

• All Plan staff in Haiti are currently working on this response.

• Additionally, Plan International is working closely with government, emergency services and other organisations to respond to the immediate needs of children in the region and to assess the situation.

• Plan International Disaster Management experts in Child Protection, Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Logistics, Communications etc are being sent from the Dominican Republic, Panama and the UK.

• Plan International will be working across the affected areas to provide immediate and longer-term relief, but also to ensure the rights of children are protected during this response.

• A “Rapid Needs Assessment” is currently being undertaken to ensure that Plan’s long-term response is effective, efficient and targets the most vulnerable.

• Plan will look to split the emergency response into two phases that will consist of:
  
  
  • Phase 1 (Emergency Phase): in the first 90 days; focus is WASH, Shelter/Non-Food Items (including kitchen utensils, soap, etc), Food, Medical/Health and Child Protection.
    
    
  • Phase 2 (Recovery Phase): 3-12 months plus; focus is WASH (eg. Repair of water systems), Shelter, and Child Protection, Emergency Education, Disaster Risk Reduction, potentially construction of hard buildings such schools/hospitals.
    
    
• The Dominican Republic office of Plan International is acting as a hub for these operations and will co-ordinate all the logistics including transportation between Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Interview opportunities

In Haiti

Plan International’s Senior Press Officer Stuart Coles is now in Haiti. He has a satellite phone.

To contact Stuart or for other interview opportunities with Plan staff in Haiti or the Dominican Republic, please call or email:

Marcelo Avilés C.
Regional Communication Manager
Plan International - Regional Office for the Americas (ROA)
Marcelo.aviles@plan-international.org
Skype: marcelo.aviles.cisternas
Tel: +507 317-1700 ext 959
Mobile: +507 6677-0944

In Melbourne

Plan International Australia Disaster Manager Rohan Kent is across the situation in Haiti and is available for comment.

For interview opportunities with Rohan Kent contact:

David Cook
Media Officer
Plan International Australia
Mobile: 0448 816 900
Email: david.cook@plan.org.au

Or:

Megan Brown
Communications Manager
Plan International Australia
Mobile: 0411 035 388
Work: 03 9672 3656
Email: megan.brown@plan.org.au