Concern's Haiti work to continue

Dear sir - Concern Worldwide says an extra special thank you to the readers of the Meath Chronicle for their extraordinary support to the aid agency in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti. The devastating earthquake struck the Caribbean island on 12th January, which means it is now six months since the catastrophe. In that time, Concern has raised €8.75 million from the Irish public. In the middle of Ireland's current financial woes, people have had the generosity and, indeed, the bravery to dig deep into their pockets to help, and show solidarity with the Haitian people. Six months on, Concern has helped 255,000 Haitians. The aid agency has handed out tens of thousands of plastic sheeting, utensils and water containers to people who live in tented villages. We have helped out in 10 such villages. Each village consists of tents, providing accommodation for displaced people. Concern is also working on water and sanitation projects. Concern is the lead agency in constructing a purpose-built camp of 500 tents accommodating 2,500 people outside the devastated capital of Port-au-Prince. The plan is to house people firstly and, then, in a few years they may be in a position to move back to their own areas. In the Concern camp at Tabarre Issa, we have installed solar lights and supplied street lighting in the area where the village has been erected. All the electrical equipment is purchased locally. We have also distributed special high-energy food to treat 10,000 people suffering from malnutrition. Another 26,000 people benefitted from our cash-for-work scheme, that allows people to earn income by clearing rubble. These are just some of the projects in which we are involved. Concern has been in Haiti since 1994 and we are committed to the country's future. We will continue our work in the country for as long at it takes. We are able to do this because of your donations. The Concern website, www.concern.net gives an up-to-date account of what we are doing in Haiti. Yours, Tom Arnold, CEO Concern, Camden Street, Dublin 2.