As you've almost certainly heard, on Tuesday a massive earthquake hit Haiti, including the capital Port-Au-Prince and the surrounding area.
Thousands of people have been killed, injured or made homeless. There are bodies lying in the streets and concerns that supplies of drinking water soon run out. Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere, greatly increasing the risk that people will suffer or die in the aftermath.
The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) has launched an appeal, which is always an indicator that the situation is really serious.
The DEC works with 13 major charities - ActionAid, British Red Cross, CAFOD, Care International UK, Christian Aid, Concern Worldwide, Help the Aged, Islamic Relief, Merlin, Oxfam, Save the Children, Tearfund and World Vision - to raise funds and coordinate the relief work. The fact that the DEC is overseeing the situation minimises the fundraising overheads and means that the agencies can work together, avoiding duplication and facilitating emergency cooperation, coordination and communication.
How about everyone donating a day's worth of petrol?
Donate on line here
