Assisting Haiti Earthquake Victims

- Press Release, Belmopan, January 14, 2010 – Hours after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale devastated the Caribbean island nation of Haiti, Belize prepares to join the worldwide humanitarian efforts.

NEMO is making preparations to assist the people of Haiti as they endure the catastrophic devastation brought on by the earthquake. Search, rescue, medical and other skilled personnel to assist Haiti will be coordinated by NEMO and channeled through CARICOM’s Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA).

NEMO, on behalf of the Government and people of Belize, appeal to the public for help for the millions of people suffering in Haiti due to the earthquake.

Cash assistance can be sent to:NEMO Scotia Bank Relief Account # 193-48-10

At this stage, CASH is the quickest means of initial assistance due to the logistics and costs associated with transporting bulky relief items. NEMO Belize is in constant communication with Belize’s Hon. Consul in Haiti, Dider Gardere, who along with CDEMA will conduct the initial assessment and then inform on the best manner in which Belize will be able to assist the people of Haiti.

Reef Radio, in collaboration with the San Pedro Red Cross, is currently conducting a Radiothon this morning, Friday, January 15, 2010, asking island residents to extend their kind monetary donations. To assist please call 226-4054.

Smart customers can also now donate to the Haiti relief fund via a text message from their phones. To make a donation, send a text to 2273 (CARE) and in the body of the text message enter the amount to be given. The amount will be deducted from your existing credit or added to your monthly bill. All the proceeds will be handed over to the Belize Red Cross.

On Thursday, January 14, a donation of $10,000.00 Belize Dollars was presented by representatives of Smart to the Belize Red Cross to help in the relief efforts in Haiti. The donation was given to the Belize Red Cross to assist the organization in reaching its goal of $100,000.00 to aide in the relief efforts.

“We applaud the Red Cross for their continued commitment to improving the quality of life in Belize and around the world. As we have seen on the news, the situation is grim and we send our prayers and condolences to the President and people of Haiti” commented Mr. Ernesto Torres, CEO of Smart.