“The earthquake in Haiti…”

It is one of the poorest countries of the planet; political instability and natural disasters (like in 2003 , Hurricane Jeanne which had devastated the capital of the Gonaïves, leaving more than 230,000 people homeless) have made this already weakened country extremely fragile.

Having visited Haiti twice, as a voluntary ambassador of UNICEF, I have been able to see for myself the extreme vulnerability of the women and children who constitute two thirds of the population. The problem of access to drinking water for these more than eight million people who are either are strewn around the capital, or gathered in little towns like the capital of the Gonaïves, is already almost insurmountable as the ground, devastated by hurricanes and deforestation due to the lack of energy, has become so arid and even more fragile.

So how could they react to this new catastrophe?  

The joint initiative, in Belgium, of several humanitarian associations called “HAITI LAVI 1212” is the sign of a will for solidarity and effectiveness in relation to the pressing aid to be brought to the population, often the poorest and therefore the most devastated by the emergency.  

I have been well aware of the effectiveness of the work on the ground of UNICEF after having seen it many times during nearly ten years.

In Haiti, their establishment for many years in that country and in particular the way in which UNICEF works with local relays make what they do extremely practical and effective. UNICEF above all coordinates the aid activities in terms of drinking and washing water, nutrition, and the protection and education of the children.

This is real humanitarian work where the means devoted are used as fairly as possible.

In Haiti, there is today a dramatic lack of medical infrastructure, critical problems with the provision of drinking water and even of food because it is the capital Port–au-Prince that was the main victim of this earthquake, which has spared only a few places of this big city where shantytowns cling to the hills bordering the administrative districts. Many are even homeless, hundreds of children no longer have any parents, and diseases relating to this type of situation are knocking at the door: we have to help them.

To react for us in Belgium is to place our trust in those who are on the ground but who need our financial aid in order to act effectively.

So please make a donation so that this action can be large-scale and can quickly respond to the emergency. Please also spread the word: this is a dramatic question that is head-line news, but for which only solidarity can bring a constructive response.

Thank you for your co-operation.

Alain Hubert, Good-Will Ambassador for Unicef

To make a donation : 000 0000012 12