This Revised Preliminary Appeal seeks CHF 105.7 million (USD 103,289,000 or EUR 71,649,500) in cash, kind, or services to support the Haitian National Red Cross Society (HNRCS) to assist up to 60,000 beneficiary families for a total of 3 years.
Appeal history:
=B7 CHF 500,000 (USD 491,265 or EUR 338,880) was allocated from the Federation's Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) to jump-start response activities and mobilization of Federation personnel. Un-earmarked funds to replenish DREF are encouraged.
=B7 A Preliminary Emergency Appeal of CHF 10.1m was launched on 12 January 2010 to support the HNRCS to immediately deliver life-saving assistance to some 20,000 families (some 100,000 beneficiaries) for 9 months.
=B7 This Revised Preliminary Emergency Appeal features a Revised Budget of CHF 105.7 million to assist up to 60,000 families (300,000 people) for 3 years
Summary: An earthquake of a magnitude of 7 (Mw) (reference: United States Geological Survey), struck the Haitian coast on 12 January at 17:00 hours rocking the capital and generating a tsunami alert in Haiti and neighbouring countries. The epicentre was located 22 kilometres from the capital, Port-au-Prince and 15 kilometres from the closest towns. A series of aftershocks were felt, the strongest measuring 5.9 and 5.5 respectively. As of the publication of this Revised Preliminary Appeal on 16 January 2010, tens of thousands are feared dead, many more are injured, and unknown numbers are still buried under the rubble.
Initial reports indicate massive and widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure. Port-au-Prince is still without critical infrastructure such as electricity and water. The airport in Port-au-Prince is currently operational for humanitarian and military flights only, and roads to the capital are partly blocked. Communications remain widely disrupted. It is expected that the damage to infrastructure (roads, bridges, water systems, and electrical and communications systems) will inevitably affect the speed and scale of the relief effort.
As of 16 January 2010 it is not possible to specify with any degree of accuracy the total numbers of people affected (killed, injured trapped, missing and homeless) or the humanitarian needs. This revised preliminary response plan and appeal is based on an initial estimate of 3 million people affected.
The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is responding to the National Society's request for international assistance, with an initial focus on search and rescue and immediate support to deliver lifesaving assistance in the form of non-food relief items, shelter, emergency health and water and sanitation. The HNRCS has mounted a brave and determined response even though their staff and volunteers have also suffered appalling losses. Assessments are now under way, focusing both on immediate and long-term needs, and future assessments will focus on aspects of recovery. National and international efforts are expected to evolve and increase in volume and intensity in the coming days and weeks. Logistics resources are paramount to ensuring delivery of relief items, and to establishing and managing camps for the homeless.
Contributions to the Preliminary Appeal are flowing in thanks to strong support from donors including partner National Societies, companies and individuals. The initial Preliminary Appeal target has been surpassed; however, given the current major revision upwards of this Appeal, there is a significant need for on-going generous contributions to ensure vital assistance is provided to the affected Haïtian population. The donor response list which is published on the public web site is constantly being updated.