Charities given Haiti funds boost

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/8463055.stm

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Scottish charities are to be given £250,000 in government money to support their efforts to help victims of the earthquake in Haiti.

Up to 200,000 have been killed and 300,000 made homeless in the disaster.

The funding from the Scottish government came as a result of a meeting External Affairs Minister Fiona Hyslop had with 12 charities.

The non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are helping in efforts to transport food and other supplies.

A huge international effort was launched following Tuesday's 7.0 magnitude earthquake.

Ms Hyslop said: "Scottish NGOs told me that at this time their over-riding requirement is for funding that will enable them to support the huge logistical effort of transporting personnel and essential supplies of food, water, medicines into this devastated area.

"The Scottish government has moved quickly to respond to this request.

"We have already offered temporary secondments of Scottish government staff to provide administrative support to NGOs as their own staff focus on operational matters.

"We have also agreed to assist in raising awareness of the fundraising campaign amongst local government, trade unions and business organisations, so that others can contribute if they wish to this huge humanitarian crisis."