Race against time to help survivors of Haiti earthquake

Aid workers are in a race against time to help survivors of the devastating Haiti earthquake.

Disaster experts from Plan International are expected to arrive in Haiti today (January 14) to work alongside local specialists as they assess immediate needs and begin providing emergency food, water and shelter.

Please help Plan provide emergency relief to as many children in Haiti as possible. Make your emergency donation today.

Our focus is on helping children most vulnerable in the wake of the disaster. In the first 36 hours Plan — which works with 42,000 children in Haiti — has already committed over $750K (including over $200K from U.S. donors) and we're working to do much more with your continued help. 

Devastation of an unimaginable scale

Plan Haiti Director Rezene Tesfamariam said the devastation in the capital Port au Prince was of an “unimaginable” scale.

"The damage of the earthquake is beyond one’s imagination. Although it is very difficult to determine the exact figure, I have seen bodies all along the main street of Port-Au-Prince. I have heard the voice of children trapped in the rubble of their schools.

"A major part of Port-Au-Prince has been destroyed. Schools, churches, hospitals, market places are destroyed. All communication systems including internet connections were down until today. The quake has left thousands of families without homes and the city has turned into a collection of makeshift camps.

"In my professional life I have worked with refugees running for their lives, provided support to communities swept away by flood, but not like this. The situation requires a quick and well-organized response."

Efforts to help quake victims underway

Plan International’s Director of Humanitarian Response & Disasters, Roger Yates said the Haitian people were doing their best to rescue people, but international help was vital.

“In such a terrible time, outside support is going to be really important. Children are always the most vulnerable in these situations, particularly those who have lost parents and Plan staff are already working to help communities protect these children.”

Having worked in Haiti for 36 years, Plan is well placed to know what assistance will be needed in the long term to ensure communities get back on their feet. We are currently working closely with government, emergency services and other organizations to respond to the immediate needs of children in the region and to assess the situation.

Initial aid will focus on providing clean water and sanitation, health care and counseling. Education and setting up temporary schools will also be a priority as the recovery progresses.

 Make an emergency donation today to help children in Haiti.

Information for sponsors
We will contact sponsors directly if we receive any news about individual sponsored children. If you are planning a visit or have any particular concerns around this issue, please contact our Donor Relations staff at 1-800-556-7918.

Please visit this website for updates as more information becomes available.