1. Haiti Earthquake January 2010 Primary

2. On Tuesday 12 January, a major earthquake hit Haiti, measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale. It struck 10 miles away from the capital Port-au-Prince. This is the strongest earthquake that Haiti has experienced in more than 200 years. 12 January: Haiti

3. The earthquake was so strong that many buildings including the National Palace and the cathedral have collapsed. Thousands of people have died. Destruction

4. “This is the worst disaster Haiti has experienced. Many people have been killed in Port-au- Prince. People are still under the debris.” Scale of disaster “The hospitals are overwhelmed with the dead and injured. The risk of disease is great. The streets and public places are filled with people who do not know where to go.” Joseph Jonidès Villarson Head of Emergencies, Caritas Haiti

5. Poverty in Haiti Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere. Most of the people in Haiti are very poor. For a very long time there has been fighting which has made things even worse for people living in poverty. This poverty makes the impact of the earthquake even greater. Three million people live in the area affected by the earthquake. Survivors urgently need clean water, food, basic shelter and medicines.

6. We have worked in Haiti since 1970 supporting projects that focus on things like education, farming and empowering women. We have a lot of experience in supporting emergencies. In Haiti, as in the rest of the world, we work through our partners. CAFOD and Haiti CAFOD poster from 1996

7. We are already working with our partners in Haiti to find out what is needed to help. The money you give will help our partners supply water, food, medicines and shelter to people in the worst affected areas and will support the people of Haiti to rebuild their lives in the longer term. Our partners’ work

8. Please give to our appeal http://www.cafod.org.uk/haitiearthquake http://www.cafod.org.uk/haitiearthquake We are also part of the UK Disasters Emergency Committee. CAFOD appeal

9. As he helped survivors, Dr Louis-Gerard Gilles, a former senator, said, "Haiti needs to pray. We all need to pray together." Let us pray

10. For the people of Haiti Dear Lord We pray for the people of Haiti. Comfort those who hurt and be with those who are sad. We pray for food, water, shelter and healing for the people of Haiti. Help us to share what we have with our sisters and brothers as they begin to rebuild their lives Amen

11. Photos: Caritas REUTERS/Reuters TV, courtesy www.alertnet.orgwww.alertnet.org REUTERS/Joel Trimble, courtesy www.alertnet.orgwww.alertnet.org