Published: Wednesday, 20th January, 2010 4:59pm

Trócaire on the ground in earthquake region

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Dear sir - I'd like to thank your readers who have so generously donated to our appeal to help those affected by the devastating earthquake in Haiti a week ago. During an emergency such as this, 100 per cent of money donated is spent on our response. And that response must be swift.

Trócaire is a member of Caritas Internationalis, the international confederation of 162 Catholic relief agencies based in Rome, which offers particular advantages in an emergency like the one in Haiti.

The real strength of Caritas is its access to the network of parishes that gives us direct contact with communities who have already been helping each other cope since the earthquake. The networks provide a point from which we can provide help - often a church or a school or a community centre. In Haiti the church's structures provide an unparalleled access route to affected people.

Long before the emergency response teams and media arrive, survivors of a disaster like the one we are seeing in Haiti are always the first to reach out and help those around them. It's a woman dressing the wounds of her neighbour, or a young mother sharing her food with the family next door.

Within days of the earthquake Caritas had provided the equipment, electricity and staff for two operating theatres in the main Catholic hospital in Port au Prince. Caritas Haiti runs over 200 hospitals and medical centres, all staffed by local people. Caritas organisations around the world have already sent 200,000 blankets, 15,000 tents, water cans and purification tablets, as well as food, water and hygiene kits. A Trócaire staff member is now travelling to Haiti to support our partners there.

Funds donated to Trócaire will be channeled through this network for greatest speed and impact. Trócaire's support to the people of Haiti will continue long-term once the relief efforts are over.

Thanks again to all your generous readers who continue to support Trócaire. Readers can learn more about our response or donate at www.trocaire.org

Yours,

Justin Kilcullen,

Director,

Trócaire.