Estonia rushes to aid Haitian victims

TALLINN - The entire international community has rushed to the aid of Haiti, which is suffering in the aftermath of a powerful earthquake. International organizations have launched extensive aid operations in Haiti. The victims of the earthquake are lacking in medical supplies, food and drinking water, and thousands remain without shelter. Access to the disaster zone is also difficult. Haiti needs medical equipment, search and rescue technology, and means of communication.

The Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Jan. 14, that Estonia is donating one million kroons (64,100 euros) through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) to help alleviate the effects of the earthquake in Haiti.
In co-operation with the Interior Ministry and the Estonian Rescue Service, the Foreign Ministry will also send an IT expert and likely a logistics team with supplies to help support the activities of international organizations on site. The Estonian experts will travel to the crisis region along with experts from the Nordic countries within the framework of International Humanitarian Partnership.

Foreign Minister Urmas Paet stated that the international organizations that have representatives at the scene have launched extensive aid operations. “With the help of their observers, international organizations will be able to best assess the situation and the nature of the aid needed. That is why the Foreign Ministry is sending its financial aid through the Red Cross,” Paet explained.

Gert Teder, a member of the Estonian Rescue Service, was among the European Union evaluation team that left for Haiti on Jan. 13. The purpose of the team, sent within the framework of the civil protection mechanism, is to evaluate the needs of those who have been injured and to co-ordinate the arriving aid. The European Union evaluation team sent to Haiti includes representatives from six nations.

On Jan. 15, the Foreign Ministry said it is donating an additional 1.5 million kroons through the International Red Cross to help the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Currently, Estonia’s aid to Haiti totals 3.5 million kroons, of which 2.5 million kroons is financial aid through the Red Cross and 1 million is being used to send experts to the crisis region. The money for this aid is being allocated from the Foreign Ministry’s funds for development and humanitarian aid.
Paet stated that Haiti’s need for aid is great, which is why the Foreign Ministry decided to contribute an addition 1.5 million kroons in aid.

The best opportunity for Estonia and any Estonian citizen to help alleviate the situation, say experts, is through co-operation with official organizations. Donations are being collected by the Estonian Red Cross and the Estonian National Committee for UNICEF.