Children of the Quake

Published: Thursday, 21 January 2010, 5:51PM

With many thousands dead, injured and orphaned, Mark Austin reports on the plight of the children in disaster-torn Haiti.  From those pulled from the rubble to the babies born in makeshift maternity units, he witnesses the devastation through their eyes, and meets the rescue teams and aid workers who are fighting to keep them alive.

Over 2.2 million people live in the most affected areas where thousands are feared dead, many more injured, many buried under rubble; the DEC urgently needs your support to help the many people affected.

The DEC launches and co-ordinates national fundraising appeals for public donations on behalf of its member agencies.

You can donate to the DEC Haiti Earthquake online at www.dec.org.uk.  Alternatively to make a postal donation make cheques payable to ‘DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal’ and mail to ‘PO Box 999, London, EC3A 3AA’.  Donations can be made at any high street bank, or at a Post Office by quoting Freepay 1449.  Or text “GIVE” to 70077 to give £5 to the DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal. Check you have enough credit on your phone. £5 goes to the DEC. You pay £5 plus the standard network SMS rate.

The DEC consists of: Action Aid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, CARE International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund, World Vision.