Haven is launching an urgent appeal for funds in the wake of a massive earthquake in the Haitian capital Port au Prince.

The house building charity has projects in two areas of Haiti, in the northeast and southwest.

The earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale has caused massive destruction around the capital Port au Prince with a large number of public buildings destroyed. Haven is trying to establish the well being of their Haitian staff and their families, but communications with the country are difficult with phones and emails down.

As most of Haven’s houses building projects are based in rural parts of the country, the charity is hopeful that the impact of the earthquake will not be too great on them.  

Founder of Haven Leslie Buckley says “We are going to assess the extent of the damage in Port au Prince and also around our house building projects, but it is already clear this is a massive catastrophe and Haiti will need our help to assist survivors. In the longer term, Haiti will also need help in building new homes and rebuilding damaged ones” 

Haven will be working with aid agency GOAL, which works in neighbouring Honduras, in its response to the earthquake. 

Donations can be made via Haven’s website www.havenpartnership.com or cheques sent to Haven, The Malthouse, Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2. 

Haven is also recruiting volunteers to travel with it to Haiti in April to help build homes for some of the poorest people there.  

For further information contact Deirdre Grant on 086 0484 279