Power Reviews Haiti Report

The Irish Aid technical team, which has just returned from Haiti, will report to the Minister of State for Overseas Development, Peter Power, T.D., this week and make recommendations on Ireland's ongoing response to the earthquake.

Addressing the Seanad this evening during a special debate on the Haitian crisis, Minister Power outlined the Government's swift and coordinated response and pledged: "I can assure this House of the Government's commitment to stand with the Haitian people as they rebuild their shattered country."

Minister Power also authorized a second shipment of emergency supplies to Haiti after hearing the Irish Aid technical team's initial assessment. The team of four returned from Port-au-Prince on Monday, having spent five days assessing the immediate and medium-term humanitarian needs on the ground.

"I will meet the team this week to hear their recommendations as to how we should direct our funding and respond more generally. These will be central to our approach to the ongoing humanitarian situation in Haiti, as well as to our pledge at the international conference on Haiti in March.

"To date the total value of the Irish Government response both financially and in kind is well in excess of €3 million. This figure will undoubtedly increase further as the full picture of Haiti's needs become clearer in the weeks leading up to the international conference," he said.

Highlighting the urgent need for shelter, water and sanitation, Minister Power said: "Nearly 200,000 people are sleeping in the open in Haiti. In a matter of weeks the rainy season will begin and Haiti will face a second humanitarian crisis if emergency shelter is not provided.

"The Government is conscious of this danger and on Monday I authorised a second Irish airlift of emergency supplies to Haiti. This consists of tents and materials for use in building temporary shelters, as well as containers and sanitation equipment.

"This 50-tonne consignment is in addition to the 84 tonnes which we sent to Haiti last week and which was distributed by Concern and Goal. Between these two consignments, the Irish taxpayer is providing a roof and basic infrastructure for more than 12,000 Haitian families."

These consignments are in addition to €2 million in direct emergency funding, Ireland's contribution of €20 million to the United Nations' Central Emergency Relief Fund which is being drawn upon to respond to the crisis and the deployment of three members of Ireland's Rapid Response Corps.

"This Government commitment reflects the desire to the Irish public to contribute to the relief of Haiti. This is clearly illustrated by the extraordinary level of generosity towards appeals from NGOs and UN agencies over the past few days.

"Large sums have been donated at a time when many people are feeling the effects of the recession. This level of generosity towards and solidarity with the people of Haiti is something of which all of us in Ireland can be proud. I commend each and every member of the public who has contributed," Minister Power said.

He also paid tribute to the many Irish people working on the relief effort in Haiti and once again extended the Government's condolences to the people of Haiti, the family of Andrew Grene and the families of all those working in Haiti who lost a loved one.