Scots give £1m to earthquake fund

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/scotland/8464261.stm

Version 0 of 1.

People in Scotland have so far donated more than £1m to the Haiti Earthquake Appeal, the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has said.

It urged people to keep on giving to the appeal to help the tens of thousands of people desperately needing assistance on the Caribbean island.

Up to 100,000 people are feared dead following the magnitude-7.0 earthquake which struck last Tuesday.

Donations are needed for food, shelter and medical assistance.

Gerry McLaughlin, chair of the DEC in Scotland, said: "The Scottish public's deep sense of horror and need to help has been shown by the level of support we are already seeing online and over the phone.

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 <a class="" href="http://www.dec.org.uk">DEC website</a> or by telephoning 0370 60 60 900 <a class="" href="/2/hi/in_depth/8460620.stm">DEC radio appeal</a> <a class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8456730.stm">Haiti: How to help</a>

"Their support means that our member agencies can co-ordinate and deliver emergency aid to the swathes of people who urgently need shelter, medical help, safe water and food.

"Aid is beginning to get through, with more supplies arriving today. We urge the public to continue to dig deep into their pockets so supplies can be sourced and delivered as swiftly as possible over the next few days and weeks."

The DEC said that £25 would supply a kit of household essentials, £50 would buy a food pack to feed a family for a fortnight while £100 would provide temporary shelter for two families.