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Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Thousands are feared dead in impoverished Haiti following a major
earthquake that toppled buildings and buried residents in rubble on
Tuesday, January 12th.
The epicenter of the 7.0 quake – the most powerful to hit Haiti
in more than 200 years – was only 16 kilometres from Port-au-Prince,
which has a population of about one million.
As the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, Haiti is simply
not prepared to handle such a catastrophe and the Caribbean nation
is appealing for international aid.
United Jewish Appeal of Greater Toronto has established the
Haiti Disaster Relief Fund
to assist victims who,
suddenly, find their lives turned upside down and in jeopardy.
United Jewish Appeal has already advanced $45,000 to
IsraAid: The Forum for International Humanitarian Aid, so
that search and rescue efforts can start immediately. The 12-member
IsraAid team – which includes emergency medical staff - will arrive
in Haiti imminently where they will also distribute much-needed
items such as food, clothing and medical treatment.
To donate to United Jewish Appeal's Haiti
Disaster Relief Fund,
please visit
ujadonations.com/haiti
You contribution will be sent directly to IsraAid.
This fund has been established outside of the annual United Jewish
Appeal campaign.
IsraAid is a coalition of Israeli and Jewish NGOs operating in
developing countries by offering relief, rehabilitation and
long-term aid to communities in need. United Jewish Appeal has
supported IsraAid following the Peru Earthquake, on the border of
Darfur, with relief aid following the earthquake in Pakistan andto
Katrina evacuees in New Orleans and aid to Somali camps in Kenya.
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