Haiti and UNICEF

The magnitude of the destruction that has hit Haiti is almost indescribable. The catastrophic earthquake has claimed many thousands of lives and left many more without homes, shelter or security. 

The whole international community is pulling together to ensure a swift and effective response and to provide the support and aid necessary at this critical time. The UK will play a significant part in this effort and the Conservative Party will continue to engage with the Government to help ensure that a careful and co-ordinated response is provided to the humanitarian effort.

The British people are deeply concerned by this terrible disaster. Like in past crises, they will do all they can to provide support and aid in the weeks and months ahead. The Disasters Emergency Committee, made up of 13 of Britain’s leading NGOs, has launched an appeal. The money raised will support the efforts of the DEC’s members to carry out their vital emergency aid work in Haiti.

If you wish to donate to the appeal, call 0370 60 60 900 or visit www.dec.org.uk.

Furthermore, Castle Point has Britain's only two UNICEF shops (in Benfleet & Hadleigh). The children's charity has had a strong presence in Haiti for many years since almost half of the Country's 10 million population are under 18. Despite heavy damage to its own offices in Port-au-Prince, the charity are geared up for the relief effort and have already dispatched a plane load of emergency supplies to Haiti. So as well as supporting the Disasters Emergency Committee, local residents may like to give extra support to these local charity shops at this time.