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Praise for public quake response Praise for public quake response
(about 3 hours later)
Britons have donated more than £2m to an appeal to help earthquake-stricken Haiti in the space of 36 hours.Britons have donated more than £2m to an appeal to help earthquake-stricken Haiti in the space of 36 hours.
The Disasters Emergency Committee said it was "delighted", while Gordon Brown said there had been an "extraordinary" response from the British public.The Disasters Emergency Committee said it was "delighted", while Gordon Brown said there had been an "extraordinary" response from the British public.
UK rescue workers are among those trying to find survivors. So far 30 Britons have been found safe and well, but a UK woman is still missing.UK rescue workers are among those trying to find survivors. So far 30 Britons have been found safe and well, but a UK woman is still missing.
Meanwhile, Haitians in the UK are awaiting news of loved ones.Meanwhile, Haitians in the UK are awaiting news of loved ones.
Up to 50,000 people on the Caribbean island are feared dead after Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude earthquake. Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude earthquake has left as many as 45,000-50,000 people dead.
The aid operation is being hampered by poor infrastructure - the small airport is struggling to deal with the number of flights and the roads and port have been badly damaged.The aid operation is being hampered by poor infrastructure - the small airport is struggling to deal with the number of flights and the roads and port have been badly damaged.
'Keep giving''Keep giving'
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella organisation which co-ordinates responses to major disasters overseas, thanked the British public for their contribution to its quake appeal so far. The Foreign Office is checking on Britons and will start repatriations from the Caribbean island, but concern is growing for Ann Barnes, a PA to the UN police commissioner in Haiti.
Ann Barnes, 59, is originally from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex Quake brings UK Haitians together Haiti quake aid effort hampered DEC launches Haiti quake appeal Living sleep among dead Haiti Earthquake: Your stories In pictures: Haiti rubble
The 59-year-old, originally from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, has been unaccounted for since the UN headquarters collapsed on Tuesday.
Ms Barnes's cousin, Christine Hart, of Hornchurch, Essex, said: "Every little opening we just want to grab hold of.
"We're clutching at straws. We know that she was on the second floor when it happened."
The UK ambassador to the Dominican Republic and other consular staff have gone to neighbouring Haiti.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), an umbrella organisation that co-ordinates responses to major disasters overseas, thanked the British public for their contribution to its quake appeal so far.
David Loyn, with a UK rescue team in Haiti Food, water, medical supplies and shelter are needed on a huge scale for several months to come.David Loyn, with a UK rescue team in Haiti Food, water, medical supplies and shelter are needed on a huge scale for several months to come.
Rescue teams from a dozen countries are doing what they can in the capital, which was the epicentre of the earthquake. A Spanish team that arrived on Thursday morning had pulled out five people by nightfall including a two-year-old boy.Rescue teams from a dozen countries are doing what they can in the capital, which was the epicentre of the earthquake. A Spanish team that arrived on Thursday morning had pulled out five people by nightfall including a two-year-old boy.
Although the team did not have any of their heavy equipment, that is still stuck in the gridlock at the airport, they dug with simple tools. Although the team did not have any of their heavy equipment, which is still stuck in the gridlock at the airport, they dug with simple tools.
Annika Coll, the head of the team, said that "goose pimples went up on my arm" when the boy answered when she called out. He was unharmed after 50 hours without food or water. Annika Coll, the head of the team, said that "goosepimples went up on my arm" when the boy answered when she called out. He was unharmed after 50 hours without food or water.
The rescue teams know that there could be many more people like that under the rubble and are frustrated by being unable to get out to work.The rescue teams know that there could be many more people like that under the rubble and are frustrated by being unable to get out to work.
There are also security concerns. Some 9,000 UN military and police personnel have been trying to keep order, and all rescue teams have had armed guards.There are also security concerns. Some 9,000 UN military and police personnel have been trying to keep order, and all rescue teams have had armed guards.
Among the donations was an undisclosed amount from the Queen.Among the donations was an undisclosed amount from the Queen.
DEC chief executive Brendan Gormley said they were "delighted" at the public's generosity. DEC chief executive Brendan Gormley said: "Efforts on the ground have been hampered by a lack of power and communications problems after the devastating quake but aid is starting to get through and DEC members are working hard in the field.
"Efforts on the ground have been hampered by a lack of power and communications problems after the devastating quake but aid is starting to get through and DEC members are working hard in the field," he said. "It is vitally important that people continue to donate."
"Our message to the public is, thank you for your efforts so far but it is vitally important that people continue to donate to increase the amount of aid that can be delivered to help the millions of people affected by this terrible earthquake."
The £2m figure for online giving was hit at around 0800 GMT on Friday, and donations by other means are not included. The DEC's main television advert is to broadcast later on Friday.The £2m figure for online giving was hit at around 0800 GMT on Friday, and donations by other means are not included. The DEC's main television advert is to broadcast later on Friday.
'Seek solidarity' Money donated to the DEC - which brings together 13 major British-based charities - is being spent on search and rescue, medical care, food, clean water, temporary shelter and clothes.
The prime minister, who visited DEC staff at their north London headquarters on Friday, reassured the public their money would get through.
Shelane Chapman, from Downham in Kent, is one of the 1,000-strong Haitian community in the UK. She has no idea what has happened to her family.Shelane Chapman, from Downham in Kent, is one of the 1,000-strong Haitian community in the UK. She has no idea what has happened to her family.
She heard rumours her mother's house collapsed in the earthquake, killing her six-year-old cousin, but has been unable to verify the news.She heard rumours her mother's house collapsed in the earthquake, killing her six-year-old cousin, but has been unable to verify the news.
Sanitation equipment on its way to Haiti
Mrs Chapman said: "We're sick with worry because we can't get through at all. We keep redialling my mother's mobile number but it just won't work. If the house has gone, where could she be? Where could they all be?"Mrs Chapman said: "We're sick with worry because we can't get through at all. We keep redialling my mother's mobile number but it just won't work. If the house has gone, where could she be? Where could they all be?"
Judith Craig of United Haitians in the UK, says the charity has seen its membership jump since the earthquake hit.Judith Craig of United Haitians in the UK, says the charity has seen its membership jump since the earthquake hit.
She attributes the increase to people wanting to find out more and seek solidarity with others.She attributes the increase to people wanting to find out more and seek solidarity with others.
The Red Cross has set up a website to help people abroad to try to contact their relatives. A similar site has been created by two Haitians in the US.The Red Cross has set up a website to help people abroad to try to contact their relatives. A similar site has been created by two Haitians in the US.
Rescue operation A British search and rescue team - made up of 71 people, mostly from the fire services, and including two search dogs - flew to the region on Thursday.
The Foreign Office is checking on Britons in the country and will start repatriations, but concern is growing for a missing British woman, Ann Barnes, a PA to the UN police commissioner in Haiti. DEC APPEAL The Disasters Emergency Committee is co-ordinating an appeal to help the people of HaitiThere are 13 charities involved including the British Red Cross, Islamic Relief and World VisionDonate via the class="" href="http://www.dec.org.uk">DEC website or by telephoning 0370 60 60 900 class="" href="/2/hi/in_depth/8460620.stm">DEC radio appeal class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8456730.stm">Haiti: How to help
Ann Barnes, 59, is originally from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8461575.stm">Quake brings UK Haitians together class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8460574.stm">Haiti quake aid effort hampered class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8459450.stm">DEC launches Haiti quake appeal class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8458516.stm">Living sleep among dead class="" href="/2/hi/uk_news/8456913.stm">Haiti Earthquake: Your stories class="" href="/2/hi/in_pictures/8458291.stm">In pictures: Haiti rubble Peter Stevenson, who is a member of the team, told the BBC most of the workers had arrived in Haiti.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are aware of reports that (Ms Barnes) is missing and we are aware that the building she was working in collapsed. The UN has confirmed a number of deaths but has not given confirmation of her death."
The UK ambassador to the Dominican Republic and other consular staff have gone to neighbouring Haiti.
A British search and rescue team - made up of 71 people, mostly from the fire services, and including two search dogs - flew to the region on Thursday; however not all have made it to Haiti.
DEC APPEAL The Disasters Emergency Committee is co-ordinating an appeal to help the people of HaitiThere are 13 charities involved including the British Red Cross, Islamic Relief and World VisionDonate via the DEC website or by telephoning 0370 60 60 900 DEC radio appeal
Peter Stevenson, who is a member of the team, told the BBC most of the workers had arrived: "I think we've been victims of our own success, we were actually in the Dominican Republic within 24 hours, the problem being that the airport was shut in Port-au-Prince because they didn't have electricity.
"We've got 40 of our people up in Port-au-Prince at the moment and their task will be search and rescue."We've got 40 of our people up in Port-au-Prince at the moment and their task will be search and rescue.
"Although there is a lot of serious damage to the buildings we're hopeful there are voids created in the damaged structures which will enable us to find live casualties.""Although there is a lot of serious damage to the buildings we're hopeful there are voids created in the damaged structures which will enable us to find live casualties."
British aid workers are already in Haiti and more are being flown out, as are emergency items such as food, water and tents.British aid workers are already in Haiti and more are being flown out, as are emergency items such as food, water and tents.
British Airways said it had a Boeing 747 standing by to fly to Haiti with supplies on Saturday, crewed by volunteer BA pilots and cabin crew.
The quake, Haiti's worst in two centuries, has flattened whole areas in the country's capital, Port-au-Prince.The quake, Haiti's worst in two centuries, has flattened whole areas in the country's capital, Port-au-Prince.
Many Haitians spent a third night without shelter or in makeshift camps in Port-au-Prince, where bodies have been building up outside the city's mortuaries.Many Haitians spent a third night without shelter or in makeshift camps in Port-au-Prince, where bodies have been building up outside the city's mortuaries.
Have you or your family been affected by the earthquake? Are you taking part in the relief effort? If you have any information you wish to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:Have you or your family been affected by the earthquake? Are you taking part in the relief effort? If you have any information you wish to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below:
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