By KUNA,
Kuala Lumpur : The United Nations children’s fund, the UNICEF, in Malaysia has launched a “2010 Haiti Earthquake Children’s Appeal” in aid of those affected by the Haiti earthquake.
The organization is seeking some USD 120 million to support its activities to aid children and families who survived Tuesday’s earthquake and suffer due to massive devastation and high human toll.
A statement by UNICEF Malaysia said the organization had a critical role to play, noting that nearly half Haiti’s population was under the age of 18.
“The focus in the days and weeks ahead is to assist with life-saving and recovery operations, as well as providing clean water, sanitation, therapeutic food, medical supplies, and shelter,” the statement read.
This was part of the UN’s appeal for USD 562 million launched on Friday, for its humanitarian works in Haiti, which are to last for six months.
UNICEF has been flying planes to Haiti with emergency supplies and equipment for the survivors.
The organization noted that those wishing to contribute to the efforts can do so through the UNICEF’s donation site.
The country’s plight was made worse by long years of poverty, under-development, and instability. Experts now estimate that the country would need many years to overcome the devastation.
The UN places Haiti in slot 148 among the world’s 179 most under-developed nations in terms of the human development index.
Malaysia had officially extended condolences to Haiti and the UN and expressed desire to expend support to the victims.