UN appeals for $560 million to aid victims of Haiti quake
$560 million needed to help three million people badly affected by Haiti earthquake
United Nation: The United Nations says it needs at least US$560 million to help three million people badly affected by the Haiti earthquake.
UN humanitarian chief John Holmes launched the emergency request for food, water, shelter and other desperately needed essentials for the next six months.
He said the $562 million appeal includes $246 million to feed up to 2 million people, $59 million for water, hygiene and sanitation, $48 million for nutrition, $41 million for early recovery programs, $37 million for emergency shelters, $34 million for health, $33 million for logistics, $16 million for protection and $11 million for education.
The appeal will be revised when UN officials get better information on the extent of the destruction and the number of victims, probably in three or four weeks, Holmes said.
Meanwhile US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is expected to arrive Haiti on Saturday to see how to speed aid to thousands of survivors of the earthquake.
At the White House, President Barack Obama has scheduled an Oval Office meeting Saturday with the two former presidents who have agreed to spearhead private fundraising efforts for Haiti Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Bill Clinton.
Obama spoke with Haitian President Rene Preval on Friday two previous attempts to do so had failed because of interference with communications and pledged that the US would stand with it for the immediate search-and-rescue effort and for the eventual rebuilding.
