Relief highlights

By Kenny Sharpe, James McDonald and Zara Urvashi Ramaniah

In heels for Haiti

“We don’t have a goal of how much to raise, but the goal is to raise money,” said Danny Coombs, local activist and drag performer.

Coombs and many patrons of The Zone on Water Street are organizing a drag-themed benefit, “In Heels for Haiti,” which will take place on Jan. 29.

“We wanted to be different than other benefits going on in the city,” said Coombs. The benefit is aiming to raise money for The Red Cross through humour and dramatics, in contrast to the musical concerts happening around the city.

The event will not be charging a cover but donations will be accepted. The Zone will also be contributing money raised during events held over the past week.

“We may not know anyone in Haiti, we may never meet them, but knowing that every dollar that we donate is helping families in need makes it all worthwhile.”

Other events

The Masonic Temple at 6 Cathedral Street in St. John’s is hosting a five-day event to raise funds aptly called “Hearts for Haiti.”

Beginning on Jan. 27, a plethora of acts, ranging from The New Zazou! to Greg Malone, intend to entertain while informing audiences of the Haitian tragedy. A silent auction will also be held, with all proceeds going to the Red Cross. For detailed information on all events, go to www.heartsforhaitinl.com.

On Jan. 30, Junctions at 208 Water Street is contributing all earnings from that night to the Red Cross.

“Help Haiti!” costs $10 cover and gives club-goers a chance to make separate donations.

From Canada:

• 21 Canadians are confirmed dead in the aftermath of the Jan. 12 earthquake.

• More than 140 Canadians are still missing.

• The Canadian government has donated more than $80-million in aid.

• The Canadian forces has sent over a thousand personnel to the region.

• Canada has delivered almost 4,000 tonnes of relief aid and equipment.

• World leaders from 12 countries, along with members of the UN, and humanitarian agencies met in Montreal on Jan. 23 to discuss the reconstruction of the ravaged country.

• PM Harper told the global community that “ten years of hard work” will be needed to rebuild the country.

• In their “Canada for Haiti” televised fundraiser, Canadian television companies and artists raised more than $16-million. The Canadian government has matched this amount.

• The Canadian government lifted and increased its donation-matching cap of $50-million in response to overwhelming support from the Canadian population.

• Canada is to expedite immigration applications for Haitians with family in this country while Haitians who are temporarily living in Canada will be allowed to extend their stay.

• So far about 30 Haitian children have entered Canada and have been adopted.

From Newfoundland:

• The Provincial Government has donated $1-million in emergency relief aid to Haiti.

• Radio stations in St. John’s, including VOCM, held a 12-hour radio fundraiser in the Avalon Mall, raising more than $370,000 for earthquake relief.

• Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive telephoned Premier Danny Williams to personally thank the people of Newfoundland for everything they have done.

• Newfoundlanders Vaden and Emerson Oram, from Glovertown, were rescued from Haiti and returned home on Sunday, Jan. 17. The brothers, who were doing business in the country, described the disasters as “hell on earth,” and said it felt like, “1,000 jets were passing overhead for five minutes.”

• Deer Lake native Jim Coates, 37, who worked for the UN in Port-Au-Prince was found dead on Jan. 20. He is the only earthquake victim from this province.

From the United States:

• Orphan children displaced even further from the quake are being sent to various children’s hospitals around the United States for treatment.

• An international conference is slated for March at the UN HQ in New York to discuss long term plans for Haiti.

• There are about 11,000 US troops on land in Haiti.

• On Jan. 22 “Hope for Haiti Now” aired on all major US stations, with appearances by Brad Pitt, Beyonce, and Bruce Springsteen. The event raised more than $80-million.

• The American Air Force continues to air-drop water and food packets by the tens of thousands to those without nourishment in Haiti.

• The US Navy has said any Haitian found trying to get to Florida by way of sea would immediately be returned to Haiti.

From Haiti:

• The Haitian Government has declared an end to the search for missing persons, and has now requested that a focus be placed on the thousands living in makeshift camps and shelters.

• The U.S. Geological Survey said Sunday it has recorded 52 aftershocks of magnitude 4.5 or greater since the Jan. 12 quake, with stronger quakes likely to occur over the coming weeks.

• Gangrene is now the biggest threat for more than 200,000 people who have had rushed amputations.

• Within the medical community it is said that there haven’t been as many amputations, in such a short period of time, since the Crimean War.

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