Chris Martin and Glastonbury festival organiser Emily Eavis have urged people to donate to Oxfam's appeal for eathquake victims in Haiti, which was launched in reaction to the deadly quake that struck the country yesterday (January 12th).
Both Chris and Eavis visited the island with Oxfam in 2002, and each said they expected the country to need all the help it can get following the 7.0-magnitude quake. Chris said via the official site: "I visited Haiti with Oxfam a few years ago. It's a country of extreme poverty and brutal living conditions. Most people in Port-au-Prince live in tin shacks. The earthquake that has struck Haiti will have turned the city into an unimaginable hell. The people of Haiti will be desperate for help and assistance."
Head to Oxfam.org.uk to leave a donation. Alternatively, call 0300 200 1999, or visit an Oxfam shop. Oxfam currently has a team of 100 people working in Haiti. Both Coldplay and Glastonbury have donated to the appeal.
Eavis also urged people to donate to the appeal, and said that she thinks the country will struggle to cope with the aftermath of the quake. "I visited Haiti with Oxfam in 2002 and it's the poorest place I've ever been by a long way," she explained. "It seems doubly unfair that it should be hit by such a devastating earthquake, especially after the hurricanes of the last two years. They do not have the resources needed to cope with a disaster of this scale, that is what makes this so much worse."
Oxfam says giving cash is the quickest way to make a difference to those living in the poverty stricken country. Charity spokesman Sarah Brown said: "The number one thing people can do is donate money because that is what they need the most. Money gets in quicker and gets turned over quicker. Any contribution is more than welcome and appreciated by Oxfam. We are always consistently amazed by how people rise to the challenge."
The 7.0 magnitude quake is the most powerful to hit the Caribbean region in 200 years. It struck just before 5pm on Tuesday and was followed by dozens of aftershocks. The full extent of the devastation is still unclear but thousands are feared dead and millions are affected. The cash raised will be ploughed into water and sanitation equipment. Ms Brown added: "It prevents the potential spread of disease and enables people to keep clean and bring back some semblance of order to things. More than 85 per cent of people in Haiti, which borders the Dominican Republic, already live in poverty. With major buildings, such as the presidential palace, destroyed it is likely that less well-constructed homes will be even more seriously affected."
Chris Martin attends premiere of Mat Whitecross film 'Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll' (6th January 2010):
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