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UNICEF rushing supplies to quake-stricken Haiti

NEW YORK, 13 January 2010 – UNICEF is rushing life-saving supplies into the hardest-hit communities in Haiti.

UNICEF’s response, coordinated with other UN agencies and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent is aimed at the children and women, who are the most vulnerable in times of crisis. Children under 18 make up nearly 50 per cent of the 10 million population of Haiti.

In the town of Jacmel this evening 2,500 kitchen kits and 5,000 1 litre bags of water will be distributed to enable the local population to prepare the food supplies by the World Food Programme.

A cargo plane will land tomorrow containing $500,000 of supplies to assist 10,000 people, including oral rehydration salts to combat deadly diarrhea episodes, water purifications tablets, tarpaulins and tents to provide temporary housing.

UNICEF has released a total of $3.4 million toward the relief efforts from several emergency sources.  The agency says that more funding, basic medical and health supplies, family kits/shelter and water hygiene and sanitation supplies are urgently needed.

About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.  The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.  UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

For more information, please contact:
Christopher de Bono, UNICEF Media, New York, Tel + 1 212 303 7984, E-mail: cdebono@unicef.org

Patrick McCormick, UNICEF Media, New York, Tel + 1 212-326-7426, E-mail: pmccormick@unicef.org