UNICEF Rushing Supplies to Quake-Struck Haiti

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Jan 13, 2010, 07:40 ET

NEW YORK, Jan. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- UNICEF is rushing life-saving supplies into the hardest-hit communities in Haiti.

UNICEF's response, coordinated with other UN agencies and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, is aimed at the children and women who are the most vulnerable in times of crisis. Children under 18 make up nearly 50 percent of the 10 million population of Haiti.

In the town of Jacmel this evening, 2,500 kitchen kits and 5,000 1 liter bags of water will be distributed to enable the local population to prepare the food supplies by the World Food Program.

A cargo plane will land this evening containing $500,000 of supplies to assist 10,000 people, including oral rehydration salts to combat deadly diarrhea episodes, water purifications tablets, tarpaulins and tents to provide temporary housing.

Another chartered cargo plane is expected to land tomorrow with more tarpaulins, blankets, emergency health kits, jerry cans and some other supplies.

UNICEF has released a total of $3.4 million toward the relief efforts from several emergency sources. More funding is needed to provide basic medical and health supplies, family kits/shelter and water hygiene and sanitation supplies are urgently needed.

To donate to the ongoing emergency relief efforts in Haiti and the Caribbean region, please visit: www.unicefusa.org/haitiquake or call 1-800-4UNICEF.

About UNICEF

UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.

UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress -- the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008. But still, 24,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF