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UK team seeks survivors in Haiti UK team seek survivors in Haiti
(40 minutes later)
British rescue workers have begun trying to find survivors among the devastation in earthquake-hit Haiti.British rescue workers have begun trying to find survivors among the devastation in earthquake-hit Haiti.
The team, equipped with heavy lifting gear, said it was planning to send in dogs to search for anyone trapped.The team, equipped with heavy lifting gear, said it was planning to send in dogs to search for anyone trapped.
The Foreign Office is checking on Britons in the country and will start repatriations. Officials say 30 have been found and all are safe and well.The Foreign Office is checking on Britons in the country and will start repatriations. Officials say 30 have been found and all are safe and well.
But concern is growing for a missing British woman, Ann Barnes, a PA to the UN police commissioner in Haiti.But concern is growing for a missing British woman, Ann Barnes, a PA to the UN police commissioner 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."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."
Up to 50,000 people on the Caribbean island are feared dead after Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude quake.Up to 50,000 people on the Caribbean island are feared dead after Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude quake.
They are ready to go if we can tell them that we've got £5m in the bank account Brendan GormleyDisasters Emergency Committee DEC radio appealThey are ready to go if we can tell them that we've got £5m in the bank account Brendan GormleyDisasters Emergency Committee DEC radio appeal
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.
In response the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched an appeal in the UK, with a TV advert due to be aired later.In response the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched an appeal in the UK, with a TV advert due to be aired later.
Asked what was needed to help efforts in Haiti, Brendan Gormley, director of the DEC, told the BBC: "It's money. It's as simple as that.Asked what was needed to help efforts in Haiti, Brendan Gormley, director of the DEC, told the BBC: "It's money. It's as simple as that.
"What your reports perhaps haven't mentioned is that most of the charities have been in Haiti for years because it is such a poor country. They have literally hundreds of staff."What your reports perhaps haven't mentioned is that most of the charities have been in Haiti for years because it is such a poor country. They have literally hundreds of staff.
"They are ready to go if we can tell them that we've got £5m in the bank account."They are ready to go if we can tell them that we've got £5m in the bank account.
'Tragedy beyond imagination'
"Of course the international community with the American military need to ramp up their efforts, but the private voluntary sector can do its bit, and this is why we're launching the appeal.""Of course the international community with the American military need to ramp up their efforts, but the private voluntary sector can do its bit, and this is why we're launching the appeal."
'Tragedy beyond imagination'
The UK ambassador to the Dominican Republic and other consular staff have gone to neighbouring Haiti.The UK ambassador to the Dominican Republic and other consular staff have gone to neighbouring Haiti.
A spokesman said they were making arrangements to repatriate the UK nationals they have managed to locate so far.A spokesman said they were making arrangements to repatriate the UK nationals they have managed to locate so far.
A British search and rescue team - made up of 71 people, mostly from the fire services, and two search dogs - flew to the region on Thursday, however not all had arrived in Haiti.
Peter Stevenson, who is a member of the team, told the BBC most of the team 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."
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 900DEC 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
A British search and rescue team - made up of 71 people, mostly from the fire services, and two search dogs - flew to Haiti on Thursday. "We've got 40 of our people up in Port-au-Prince at the moment and their task will be search and rescue.
The team's leader, Lincolnshire fire chief Mike Thomas, said the rescuers' first priority was to start to identify where people were still trapped. "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."
"We're hoping to get our dogs out there quite quickly as they will be invaluable in helping to target those areas," he said.
On Thursday Gordon Brown said the earthquake was a "tragedy beyond imagination" and urged the public to donate money to help.On Thursday Gordon Brown said the earthquake was a "tragedy beyond imagination" and urged the public to donate money to help.
"The problem at the moment is that there are still many, many people who are trapped or buried under rubble, and we do not know the full scale of that catastrophe," he said.
International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said a government donation of £6.2m would help provide homeless Haitians with food, water, sanitation, shelter and medicine.International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said a government donation of £6.2m would help provide homeless Haitians with food, water, sanitation, shelter and medicine.
The UK contribution will be divided between a number of international agencies and appeals.The UK contribution will be divided between a number of international agencies and appeals.
Meanwhile, the Queen has donated an undisclosed amount to the DEC, an umbrella organisation which co-ordinates responses to major disasters overseas.Meanwhile, the Queen has donated an undisclosed amount to the DEC, an umbrella organisation which co-ordinates responses to major disasters overseas.
Aid delaysAid delays
The monarch offered her condolences to Haiti's president, saying she was "deeply saddened by the huge loss of life and damage to homes and livelihoods".
In addition to the rescue team, British aid workers are already in Haiti and more are being flown out.In addition to the rescue team, British aid workers are already in Haiti and more are being flown out.
The Red Cross has said three million people - up to a third of the population - might need emergency aid.The Red Cross has said three million people - up to a third of the population - might need emergency aid.
But chaos on the ground and infrastructure damage have been holding up aid efforts.But chaos on the ground and infrastructure damage have been holding up aid efforts.
Aid has been arriving from around the world, but there is little sign of help beyond the airport, correspondents say.Aid has been arriving from around the world, but there is little sign of help beyond the airport, correspondents say.
Many Haitians are spending a third night without shelter or in makeshift camps in Port-au-Prince.Many Haitians are spending a third night without shelter or in makeshift camps in Port-au-Prince.
DEC launches Haiti quake appeal Living sleep among dead Haiti Earthquake: Your stories In pictures: Haiti rubbleDEC launches Haiti quake appeal Living sleep among dead Haiti Earthquake: Your stories In pictures: Haiti rubble
Oxfam said its stocks of water, sanitation and shelter were all destroyed in the earthquake, along with the charity's office.Oxfam said its stocks of water, sanitation and shelter were all destroyed in the earthquake, along with the charity's office.
Save the Children's Ian Rodgers, who is in Port-au-Prince, said their office had not been damaged and most of their staff had been located.Save the Children's Ian Rodgers, who is in Port-au-Prince, said their office had not been damaged and most of their staff had been located.
Aid agencies were struggling to get relief into the country, he said, and people's shock had turned to distress.Aid agencies were struggling to get relief into the country, he said, and people's shock had turned to distress.
Families had been left homeless and children separated from their parents, he added, and many would suffer psychologically in the longer term.Families had been left homeless and children separated from their parents, he added, and many would suffer psychologically in the longer term.
UK charity Plan International said people were attempting to recover bodies from buildings and huge numbers were living on the streets.UK charity Plan International said people were attempting to recover bodies from buildings and huge numbers were living on the streets.
Haitian Barbara Jones, who has been living in Milton Keynes for eight months, has not been able to contact her family in Port-au-Prince since the earthquake struck.
"Haitians are used to disaster but this is the worse thing that has ever happened," she said.
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.
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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