Repost from UNICEF - Urgent help needed to help Haiti earthquake victims

Dear Eric,

I'm sending the latest transmission we received from Haiti.

There is no good way to report the news. Thousands have died. Tens of thousands more – especially children – are at risk and may not survive without our immediate help.

Please give NOW – 100% of every dollar you give to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF will be sent directly to UNICEF to support emergency relief efforts.

The initial response to yesterday's appeal has already saved countless lives, but the need continues to overwhelm our available resources. The children of Haiti are relying entirely on international assistance to survive. The Haitian government has little to no means to respond to the crisis.

We are committed to doing whatever it takes to save these children. Please join us.

Thank you,

Caryl M. Stern
President & CEO
U.S. Fund for UNICEF

Team,

Latest intel is worse than expected. Needs severely outpace existing supplies. We do not have enough to keep the most vulnerable children alive. Desperately need more resources immediately. Please convey our dire need for help to all potential supporters. Children are dying.

Details on needs outlined below. More to follow.

-Richard

HAITI EARTHQUAKE – PRELIMINARY NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND UPDATE

Transmitted: 14 January 2010 06.35

* 3 million impacted. Casualties estimate high, over 100,000 dead. Tens of thousands more injured.
* Immediate needs [without more of the following, casualties will skyrocket, especially children]:
o Emergency medical supplies and temporary facilities
o Safe water
o Nutrition packets
o Temporary shelter systems
* Children separated from families exceed existing temporary shelters. Many are roaming in debris, injured, at risk of greater injury or death.
* Electricity not available. Widespread structural damage. Shanty towns leveled. Local government completely unequipped to aid those impacted.